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

通过这个CAREER奖，由化学系的化学结构，动力学和机制-B计划的支持，教授卡洛斯E。凯斯西储大学的Crespo-Hernández将根据UVA敏化剂的激发态动力学和导致DNA损伤的光敏化反应的调查，开发一个综合的研究和教育计划。这些信息沿着获得这些信息的技术，对于理解包括细胞死亡和皮肤癌在内的许多生物过程，以及开发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，将审查有机光化学和光生物学领域的基本思想。教育目标旨在通过以下方式激励各级学生进入并坚持科学和技术研究和职业：开发教授光化学和时间分辨光谱学基本概念并纳入主动学习策略的模块;为高中和本科生提供研究机会;为代表性不足和处境不利的学生提供指导并充当榜样。光化学研究光与物质的相互作用。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于预防和治疗皮肤癌至关重要。 在皮肤癌中，光通过各种尚未完全理解的机制对DNA造成损伤。暴露于太阳发出的紫外线的皮肤中的DNA损伤主要取决于作为能量传递单元的非DNA生物分子。Crespo-Hernández小组的目标是研究这些生物分子作为能量/电荷转移单元时引发的DNA反应。CAREER计划的教育方面涉及为本科和研究生课程设计以概念为中心的模块和实验室课程，这些课程系统地结合了积极的学习和教学策略，以提高学生的学习和保留率。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变量。大学预科和中学后学生，包括代表性不足和处境不利的学生，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，激发他们对科学和技术重要领域的兴趣，并有助于国家的科学劳动力和经济竞争力。

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.