CAREER: Organosulfur Natural Products Chemistry

这项研究计划集中于从具有杀虫、农业或医药价值的植物中分离出来的天然产品的有机硫化学，其有机感官特性意味着存在除普遍存在的含硫化合物如半胱氨酸和蛋氨酸之外的有机硫衍生物。主要目标包括1)新的潜在有用的谷氨酰半胱氨酸的分离和表征，2)C-S裂解酶的结晶，结构测定和机理研究，3)在选定的植物中观察到的与有机硫顶空挥发物有关的半胱氨酸亚砜前体的种类，4)植物物种的化学分类，5)植物中催泪原理(S)的确定，6)硫代亚硫酸盐的化学和光学活性，7)观察到的有机硫天然产物的形成途径的确定，以及8)观察到的新化合物的合成和表征。将采取三管齐下的方法来整合教学和教育，包括K-12科学推广计划，本科生和研究生水平的指导，以及教学和研究方面的教学创新。在有机和高分子化学计划的职业奖的支持下，纽约州立大学奥尔巴尼分校化学系的Rabi Musah教授正在探索含硫天然产物的化学。大蒜是最典型的含有有机硫的植物。越来越明显的是，其他植物含有相当不同的有机硫化学成分。鉴于在大蒜和洋葱中观察到的化合物和化学成分的丰富多样性，很可能在其他植物中也存在许多具有有趣和重要的化学和生物学特性的新化合物。通过各种综合方法，穆萨教授将探索从天然来源中分离、表征和伴随的有机硫产品的化学和生物化学。此外，穆萨教授将制定一项K-12科学推广计划，并在本科生和研究生层面实施导师计划。

This research program focuses on the organosulfur chemistry of natural products isolated from plants with insecticidal, agricultural, or medicinal value, and whose organoleptic properties imply the presence of organosulfur derivatives other than the ubiquitous sulfur containing compounds such as cysteine and methionine. Major objectives include 1) isolation and characterization of novel potentially useful gamma-glutamyl cysteines, 2) C-S lyase crystallization, structure determination, and mechanistic study, 3) assessment of the variety of cysteine sulfoxide precursors responsible for organosulfur headspace volatiles observed in selected plants, 4) chemotaxonomic classification of plant species, 5) determination of the lachrymatory principle(s) in plants, 6) thiosulfinate chemistry and optical activity, 7) determination of formation pathways of observed organosulfur natural products, and 8) synthesis and characterization of observed novel compounds. A three-pronged approach to integrate teaching and education will be taken, involving a K-12 scientific outreach program, mentorship at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and pedagogical innovations in teaching and research.With the support of this CAREER Award from the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program, Professor Rabi Musah, of the Department of Chemistry at the State University of New York, Albany, is exploring the chemistry of sulfur-containing natural products. Garlic is the best-characterized organosulfur containing plant. It has become increasingly evident that other plants possess considerably different organosulfur chemical makeups. Given the rich diversity of compounds and chemistry observed in garlic and onions, it is likely that numerous other novel compounds with interesting and important chemical and biological properties are present in other plants. Through a variety of integrated approaches, Professor Musah will explore the isolation, characterization, and attendant chemistry and biochemistry of organosulfur products from natural sources. In addition, Professor Musah will develop a K-12 scientific outreach program and implement a mentorship program at the undergraduate and graduate levels.