Lee Jackson
Synthesis of novel small molecules as potential anti-cancer agents
Each year, 6.7 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer and 22.8% of annual deaths are as a direct result of this disease. Cancer cells are immortal and this is a major reason for the difficulties encountered in treating this disease. In human bodies, an enzyme (telomerase) has been discovered in over 80% of all human cancer cells and is thought to contribute to this observed immortality. Telomerase works by copying specific sequences of DNA that are found in all cells. These sequences of DNA can fold into three-dimensional structures. Once they are three-dimensional, the enzyme cannot copy the DNA and so the cell eventually dies. The purpose of this research is to synthesize a number of novel compounds that will bind to the three-dimensional DNA and so prevent telomerase from copying it. The long-term goal of this project is to try and prevent cancer cells from becoming immortal. The attempted synthesis of two different, but related, groups of compounds will be described, along with the successes and challenges of the research.
Faculty Mentor: Toni Brown, Chemistry
Synthesis of novel small molecules as potential anti-cancer agents
Each year, 6.7 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer and 22.8% of annual deaths are as a direct result of this disease. Cancer cells are immortal and this is a major reason for the difficulties encountered in treating this disease. In human bodies, an enzyme (telomerase) has been discovered in over 80% of all human cancer cells and is thought to contribute to this observed immortality. Telomerase works by copying specific sequences of DNA that are found in all cells. These sequences of DNA can fold into three-dimensional structures. Once they are three-dimensional, the enzyme cannot copy the DNA and so the cell eventually dies. The purpose of this research is to synthesize a number of novel compounds that will bind to the three-dimensional DNA and so prevent telomerase from copying it. The long-term goal of this project is to try and prevent cancer cells from becoming immortal. The attempted synthesis of two different, but related, groups of compounds will be described, along with the successes and challenges of the research.
Faculty Mentor: Toni Brown, Chemistry
Page last modified July 29, 2009
