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Jason DeRouchey Lab, A&S - Chemistry

We are broadly interested in understanding the forces, structures, and dynamics that govern the interaction of biologically significant macromolecular assemblies to address problems in biology and biomedicine. Using interdisciplinary methodologies in chemistry, physics, and medicine, we focus currently on structure and dynamic measurements to address issues related primarily to DNA condensation in vitro and in vivo. Learning the strength, specificity, and reversibility in associates of biologically important macromolecules, typically in crowded environments, is crucial to our understanding of how gene and cellular function relates to packaging and for effective and rational drug design.

Work in our lab includes:

Understanding forces and dynamics driving polycation induced DNA condensation We use osmotic stress couple with small-angle X-ray scattering to determine the resulting DNA-DNA intermolecular forces for various condensing agents
Relationship between structure and DNA stability in sperm chromatin Understanding how protamine dysfunctions alters the DNA packaging density in sperm chromatin as well as how mispackaging in the sperm chromatin ultimately relates to ease of insult of DNA by free radicals/
Synthesis and development of new polymers for optimized delivery of nucleic acids Using polyampholyte polymers for optimized delivery of DNA and siRNA in serum
Nanoparticle Transport in Complex Media Study of fundamental questions to gain insight into the transport and interactions of particles in complex biological systems. SPecifically we are currently focused on how charge-charge interactions can result in filtering capabilities in gels
Self-assembly of proteins with engineered nanomaterials Due to their high free energy, engineered nanomaterial (ENM) surfaces in contact with biological media are rapidly covered by biomacromolecules that form a corona. We have used fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to examine the dynamics of corona formation on nanoparticles.
Single-Molecule Analysis of Alzheimer's β-peptide Assembly-Disassembly at Physiological Concentration

We use FCS to study amyloid beta oligomer dissociation mechanisms in the presence and absence of modulators of Aβ assembly.

Students:

Nasir Uddin

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