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Susquehanna Valley Local Section

November 2008 Meeting

The three hundred and seventy-third meeting of the Susquehanna Valley Local Section will be held on Wednesday, 12 November 2008 at Wilkes University. The meeting will be preceded by a dinner. Brief section announcements will be followed by a presentation on "The Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Functional Proteins" by Dr. Donald Mencer of Wilkes University.

Directions: see below

Dinner: from 6:00 - 7:15 p.m. in the room 214 of the Arnaud C. Marts Sports & Conference Center. Dinner will be buffet style with a chicken Marsala) and a pasta (vegetarian) dish along with garlic mashed potatoes and a mixed vegetable dish. The meal will also include dinner rolls, a house salad, and the dessert (Chef's choice). Cost of the dinner is $14.00 Please RSVP by Friday, 7 November 2008 to Ms. Mary Lou Gillespie at 570.408.4750 or by email (mary.gillespie@wilkes.edu).

Meeting Announcements / Presentation: 7:30 p.m. in Stark Learning Center Room 380

The Design, Synthesis,and Characterization of Functional Proteins

Abstract: Small molecule and protein design can be used to decipher biomacromolecular structure and function. The de novo design of proteins from first principles permits the researcher to test our understanding of protein folding and function. This approach has proven to be a useful tool for examining aspects of protein sequence that induce them to fold into unique three-dimensional structures. Additionally, it is possible to design functionally interesting proteins that bind redox-active cofactors, DNA, and transition metals. This approach has also been extended to the design of membrane-active proteins, including ion channels. This studies lay the groundwork for the design of proteins and biomimetic polymers. They also allow for the design of small molecule mimics of bioactive compounds. While the talk will cover broadly applicable features of protein design, the details will focus on the design, synthesis, and characterization of a polypeptides that were designed to form homotetrameric bundles with "heme-like" porphyrin binding functionality.

Dr. Mencer earned his B.S. degree in Chemistry from Frostburg State University. His Ph.D. resaerch was perfromed at from Texas A&M University in the area of amorphous alloy production and material performance characterization. He has held academic appointments at Aurora University, Peen State University (Hazleton Campus), and has been at Wilkes University since 2001. In addition to these appointments, Dr. Mencer has held summer or sabbatical research appointments at Argonne National Laboratory, Lamar University, and The Universtiy of Pennsylvania. It is work on his recent sabbatical appointment, in the DeGrado laboratory at U. of Penn, that forms the basis for his presentation.

Directions and parking:

Directions:
Take I-81 to Route 309 North (Exit 170B, Old Exit 47B). Follow Route 309 North to Exit 3 (Plains/River Street) and make a left onto River Street at the traffic light at the bottom of the exit ramp. Follow River Street south to Wilkes University (located on the left side of River St).

The Martz Ceneter is located on Franklin Street and the Stark Learning Center is on River St. mid-block between Northampton and South Streets.

Parking:
To arrive at the Marts Center turn left onto Ross Street at the 10^th traffic light after the ramp, and make a left onto Franklin Street at the next light. The Marts Center (274 South Franklin Street) will be on the right. There is a parking lot just past the gym on the left side of the street. This lot connects to the parking lot behind the Henry Student Union Building (also accessible by an entrance immediately past the Henry Student Union Building (SUB) on South St.). You may also park in most other campus lots.

Detailed directions and maps can be found at: http://www.wilkes.edu/pages/273.asp.