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2006
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June
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In the Laboratory
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Synthesis and Cytotoxic Properties of Chalcones: An Interactive and Investigative Undergraduate Laboratory Project at the Interface of Chemistry and Biology
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John Dickson, Lloyd Flores, Michelle Stewart, Regan LeBlanc, Hari N. Pati, and Moses Lee
Department of Chemistry, Furman University, Greenville, SC 29613
Herman Holt
Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC 28804
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June 2006
Vol. 83 No. 6
p. 934
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| Abstract |
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A highly integrated laboratory project that emphasizes techniques of chemistry and biology is described. Laboratory exercises of this nature are becoming increasingly important as interdisciplinary scientific research improves our ability to meet some of the grand challenges in chemistry laid out by the National Research Council in 2003. This project combines the synthesis of a small library of 30 appropriately substituted chalcones, the measurement of their cytotoxic properties, and the study of their structure–activity relationships using computational chemistry. In the synthesis portion of the sequence, students will learn basic organic laboratory techniques such as vacuum filtration, recrystallization, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), melting point determination, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy. For the biology component, the instructor should partner with a cell biologist to assist in conducting the experiments. The instructor should decide how involved the students would be in conducting the cytotoxicity studies. The molecular modeling aspect of this laboratory sequence will provide students with experience building molecules within the modeling program and optimizing the structure and conformation of the molecules using molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics.
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| Supplement |
Detailed student instructions, instructor notes, lists of chemicals and their hazards, synthetic and biological results are available.
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 Contents |
JCE2006p0934W.doc (Microsoft Word)
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| More Information |
Citation |
Dickson, John; Flores, Lloyd; Stewart, Michelle; LeBlanc, Regan; Pati, Hari N.; Lee, Moses; Holt, Herman. J. Chem. Educ. 2006 83 934.
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Keywords |
Biochemistry; Biotechnology; Combinatorial Chemistry; Conformational Analysis; Graduate Education / Research; Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives; Interdisciplinary / Multidisciplinary; Laboratory Instruction; Medicinal Chemistry; Molecular Modeling; Natural Products; Organic Chemistry; Second-Year Undergraduate; Synthesis; Upper-Division Undergraduate
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History |
Created:
Last Updated: |
4/24/2006
5/3/2006
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| Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues >
2006
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June
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934
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