When
Troy Smith is a 3rd year graduate student studying glycopeptide synthesis and characterization for application in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) therapeutics. Graduating from Millersville University of Pennsylvania with an honors degree in Chemistry and a minor in Biology, Troy researched N-Heterocyclic Carbene catalysis under the direction of Dr. Edward Rajaseelan and also studied new methodologies to study oil and grease lubricants at MRG laboratories.
Abstract:
The synthesis of glycosides has always been a synthetic challenge. While glycosides have been long sought due to the favorable pharmacokinetics typically associated with sugar attachment, there are no current universal conditions for the variety of donors and acceptors commonly used, leading to significant challenges in the preparation of these novel glycosides. Previously, methods have required lengthy synthetic routes, unstable reagents and harsh conditions to provide the required glycosides. This talk will examine the use of minimally competent Lewis acids (MCLAs) as robust catalysts for β-glycosylation of serine with the goal of developing more finely tuned catalysts for glycosidic bond formation.
LOCATION
Manuel Pacheco Integrated Learning Center, Room 130
PRESENTER
Troy Smith, Graduate Student, Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona