CAREER: Mechanistic Investigations of the Excited-State Dynamics in Thiobase and Pterin UVA Sensitizers and in Their DNA Constructs

凯斯西储大学的Carlos E. Crespo-Hernández教授将通过这项由化学系化学结构、动力学和机制b项目支持的CAREER奖，开发一个基于uva -敏化剂激发态动力学和DNA损伤背后的光敏反应研究的综合研究和教育项目。这些信息以及用于获取这些信息的技术对于理解包括细胞死亡和皮肤癌在内的一系列生物过程以及开发针对一系列疾病的治疗方法至关重要。这项研究，通过提供对这些反应的理解，将仔细研究有机光化学和光生物学领域的基本思想。教育目标旨在激励不同教育水平的学生进入并坚持科学和技术的研究和职业：开发模块，教授光化学和时间分辨光谱的基本概念，并纳入主动学习策略；为高中生和本科生提供研究机会；为弱势学生提供指导，并成为他们的榜样。光化学涉及对光与物质相互作用的研究。这种相互作用在视觉、光合作用、太阳能转换和存储以及光子/光电器件中至关重要。此外，生物相关分子的光化学对皮肤癌的预防和治疗至关重要。在皮肤癌中，光通过各种尚未完全了解的机制对DNA造成损害。皮肤暴露在太阳发出的紫外线下，DNA损伤主要依赖于非DNA生物分子作为能量转移单位。Crespo-Hernández小组的目标是研究这些生物分子作为能量/电荷转移单元时在DNA中引发的反应。CAREER计划的教育方面包括为本科生和研究生课程设计以概念为中心的模块和实验课程，系统地结合主动学习和教学策略来提高学生的学习和记忆。这些活动还将有助于更广泛地了解影响学生在科学和技术领域的表现和持续兴趣的各种变量。让大学预科和高等院校的学生，包括代表性不足和弱势群体的学生，接触多学科研究、现代光化学、光谱学和计算方法，将激励他们参与科学，激发他们对重要科学技术领域的兴趣，并为国家的科学劳动力和经济竞争力做出贡献。

Through this CAREER award, supported by the Chemical Structure, Dynamics and Mechanisms-B Program of the Division of Chemistry, Prof. Carlos E. Crespo-Hernández of Case Western Reserve University will develop an integrated research and education program based upon investigations of the excited-state dynamics in UVA-sensitizers and of the photosensitized reactions that underlay DNA damage. This information along with the techniques used to obtain it are central to understanding a host of biological processes, including cell death and skin cancer, and for developing therapeutics for a range of disorders. The research, by providing an understanding of these reactions, will scrutinize fundamental ideas in the fields of organic photochemistry and photobiology. The educational objectives seek to motivate students at various educational levels to enter and persist in science and technology studies and careers by: developing modules that teach fundamental concepts in photochemistry and time-resolved spectroscopy and that incorporate active learning strategies; providing research opportunities for high school and undergraduate students; and mentoring and serving as a role model for underrepresented and disadvantaged students. Photochemistry involves the study of the interaction of light with matter. Such interactions are paramount in vision, photosynthesis, solar energy conversion and storage, and photonic/optoelectronic devices. In addition, photochemistry of biologically related molecules is paramount for the prevention and treatment of skin cancer. In skin cancer, light causes damage to DNA by various mechanisms that are not fully understood. DNA damage in skin exposed to ultraviolet light emanating from the sun primarily depends on non-DNA biomolecules acting as energy transfer units. It is a goal of the Crespo-Hernández group to investigate the reactions in DNA that are initiated by these biomolecules when acting as energy/charge transfer units. The educational aspects of the CAREER plan involves the design of concept-centered modules and laboratory sessions for undergraduate and graduate courses that systematically incorporate active learning and teaching strategies to enhance student learning and retention. These activities will also contribute to a broader understanding of the variables that affect the performance and continuing interest of students in science and technology fields. Exposure of pre-college and postsecondary students, including underrepresented and disadvantaged students, to multidisciplinary research, modern photochemistry, spectroscopy, and computational methods will motivate their participation in science, spark their interest in important areas of science and technology, and contribute to the nation's scientific workforce and economic competitiveness.