Synthetic Models of Flavoenzyme Activity

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With funding from the Organic Dynamics Program, Professor Rotello of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst will investigate non-covalent bonding factors that influence the redox properties of flavoenzymes. For this investigation the principal investigator has prepared artificial binding sites which mimic the natural sites, but allow him to quantify the individual factors that are believed to affect the redox properties. The two major factors which are considered important are hydrogen bonding and pi stacking. Preliminary evidence suggests that the project will be successful. Understanding the details of enzymatic processes will provide scientists with the knowledge to modify paradigms and procedures for improved therapeutic drug efficacy. This project from a young investigator, if successful, will provide needed information on how flavoenzymes function. Since these enzymes are essential physiological moieties, this research has significant potential in the health related domain. These results may be useful to a broader scope of redox systems that are germane to organic materials and electronic devices.