Date Thesis Awarded

4-2017

Access Type

Honors Thesis -- Access Restricted On-Campus Only

Degree Name

Bachelors of Science (BS)

Department

Chemistry

Advisor

Douglas Young

Committee Members

Kristin Wustholz

Lisa Landino

Lizabeth Allison

Abstract

The growing field of bioorganic chemistry employs interesting tools and methods that can be used to study the intersection of chemistry and biology. This thesis aims to explore bioorganic chemistry, highlighting techniques that encourage the study of biology from a chemical perspective. The development of a photocaged, alkyne-containing unnatural amino acid (UAA) as well as a photocaged selenocysteine UAA highlight the diversity of of what can potentially be incorporated into proteins while also concentrating on the diversity of the functions of UAAs. Development of copper-free microwave mediated azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions and development of an optimized aqueous Glaser-Hay reaction focuses on another aspect of bioorganic chemistry – adjusting chemical reactions so they can ultimately be used in a biological setting. Lastly, fluorescent labeling of T3 hormone is explored, showing where the applications of bioorganic chemistry allow for in depth study of biological systems.

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