lenore martin

associate professor

About

My research has grown out of a synthetic and physical organic approach to solving problems of molecular recognition in the life sciences. I have expanded into using NMR, CD, cryo-TEM and bioinformatics computational tools to further our understanding of how peptides and related natural products interact with larger proteins and biological membranes to specifically target some cell types over others. A significant effort in recent years in my research has been to characterize the physical and chemical interactions that make antimicrobial peptides, isolated from natural sources, more potent and specific than most rationally designed analogues. We have prepared series of small combinatorial "collections" of synthetic peptides that specifically test our hypotheses. A strength of our research group has been the development of Bioanalytical assays and high-throughput screens to evaluate the activity of our compounds. We always try to develop new peptides that might have therapeutic use, as well as being of theoretical interest. Specialties: Biotech, Pharma, QC

Country

united states

City

kingston

Industry

higher education

Skill

biochemistry, protein chemistry, life sciences, hplc, biotechnology, chemistry, fluorescence, science, organic chemistry, molecular biology, nmr, analytical chemistry, cell, dna, bioinformatics, protein purification, mass spectrometry, cell culture, peptides, peptide synthesis, uv/vis, lifesciences, chromatography, structural biology, immunology, high performance liquid chromatography, quality control, cancer, cell biology, informatics, protein expression, western blotting, molecular modeling, laboratory, drug metabolism, drug discovery, spectroscopy, biology, fluorescence spectroscopy, purification, microscopy, medicinal chemistry, sds page, pcr, elisa, biophysics, nuclear magnetic resonance, uv/vis spectroscopy

Experience

assistant professor

university of rhode island

1994-6 - 2002-5 · 8 yrs

Tenure-track position in the College of Pharmacy, taught natural products and biotechnology drugs. Developed teaching labs for pharmacy students that emphasized the biochemistry of typical clinical lab tests and the effects of drug therapy on such test results. Developed a part of the drug metabolism course that focused on proteases and peptide-derived drug metabolism. Developed Biotechnology curriculum with emphasis on analytical and physical biochemistry techniques for QC of biotech drugs. Started integrated research program using Molecular Modeling, Combinatorial Solid-Phase Synthesis, and Capillary Electrophoresis to design, synthesize, and evaluate novel topoisomerase inhibitors for use in cancer chemotherapy.

graduate student

ucla

1983-1 - 1989-1 · 6 yrs 1 mo

Organic Synthesis of DNA-binding drug candidates involving 2,4-linked thiazoles. Photochemistry of benzotropones and psoralens. Synthesized large quantities of short DNA oligomers for use in 2D-NMR studies of DNA-drug interactions @ 500 MHz.Organic Synthesis of DNA-binding drug candidates. Photochemistry of benzotropones and psoralens. Synthesized large quantities of short DNA oligomers for use in 2D-NMR studies of DNA-drug interactions @ 500 MHz. ESR, fluorescence quenching, and lots of HPLC studies. Some GC-MS and photoresists-polymer photochemistry, plus molecular computations for modeling and solving synthetic bioorganic, NMR, and X-ray structural problems focused on biopolymer-drug interactions.

postdoctoral researcher

rockefeller university

1988-10 - 1994-1 · 5 yrs 4 mos

Professional Training with Prof R.B. Merrifield, supported by NIH (PHS) funding in Peptide Chemistry, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, and Immunology.

associate professor

university of rhode island

2002-1 - Present · 24 yrs 9 mos

Education

latin school of chicago

1980-1 - 1986-1 · 6 yrs 1 mo

latin school of chicago

french

1976-1 - 1979-1 · 3 yrs 1 mo

Activities and Societies: Field Hockey, Softball, Theater, French, Math club, Jazz band

university of california, los angeles

biochemistry

1983-1 - 1989-1 · 6 yrs 1 mo

Worked with Profs Orville L. Chapman and Juli Feigon on Bioorganic and Biophysical Chemistry project for PhD Thesis Activities and Societies: Chemistry Department Safety Committe, Graduate Student Rep Organized ACS younger chemists symposium Teaching assistant and tutor for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry

northwestern university

biochemistry

1979-1 - 1983-1 · 4 yrs 1 mo

Undergraduate Research 2 years with Prof. Thomas Laffler, Med School 3 years with Prof. Robert L. Letsinger, Chemistry Department Activities and Societies: Phi Lambda Upsilon Chemistry Honor Society Freshman Honor Society Officer in several student organizations Lighting Designer for Mee-Ow show