September 20, 2005 :: No. 25
No matter how small they may be, there are
secrets to discover in molecules.
Peter de Lijser, associate professor of chemistry
and biochemistry at Cal State Fullerton, is particularly interested
in the makeup and reactions of one specific set of molecules found
in certain pesticides.
“Because the pesticides are used on fruits
and vegetables, everyone comes into contact with them,” noted
de Lijser. “These molecules change when they are in our body.
Our defense system — enzymes located primarily in our livers
— will try to detoxify these molecules so that they become
nonactive. But in order to detoxify them, the enzymes often generate
radical intermediates, which may escape and do damage to cells and
tissue.
“It is important to understand how the structure
and the reactivity of these molecules are related. If we understand
the chemistry of the molecules and the radicals in the laboratory,
then we can explore how they react with enzymes,” said de
Lijser, whose study into their generation, structure and reactivity
is funded by a $50,000 American Chemical Society grant.
“We’re laying the foundation now, looking
for one molecule with unique reactivity, then we will go up to the
next level and explore the enzymatic reaction of that molecule,”
added the researcher. “By changing the structure of the molecule,
we could find a way to change its reactivity. Of course we’re
not sure what would happen — it could be better; it could
be worse.”
De Lijser, who joined the Cal State Fullerton faculty
in 1999, expects the project to continue for three years. This summer,
Cassandra Burk, a student from St. John’s University in New
York, joined de Lijser and several CSUF students in the research
study. Continuing to assist him this fall are: Garden Grove resident
Jennie Kittipha, a senior biochemistry major in the university’s
Research Experience for Undergraduates Program; Fullerton resident
Nawaporn Sanguantrakun, a graduate student majoring in chemistry;
plus Minority Student Development Program participants Jordan Hunter
of Diamond Bar and Franklin Vinson of Pomona, both senior biochemistry
majors, and Paola Mora of Buena Park, a senior majoring in biological
science. Joining the research team this fall is Placentia resident
Phuong Kelly Ai, a sophomore biochemistry major.
De Lijser lives in Orange and earned his Ph.D. at
Canada’s Dalhousie University.
Media Contacts: |
Peter de Lijser, associate professor of chemistry
and biochemistry, at 657-278- 3290 or pdelijser@fullerton.edu
Pamela McLaren of Public Affairs, at 657-278-4852 or pmclaren@fullerton.edu |
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