We are striving to tackle previously unapproachable problems in biological and environmental science by developing unique analytical instrumentation and biotechnology-based analytical techniques. As new analytical methods mature in our laboratory, they will be used to explore important issues at the frontiers of biochemistry and environmental science. Fundamental studies of the chemical principles underlying these analytical techniques and their application are important parts of this research.
Biological assays are important tools for the analysis of toxic compounds in the environment.
The combination of these assays with microcolumn separation techniques results in rapid analytical methods with improved selectivity and dramatically reduced consumption of samples and biochemical reagents. We are developing new analytical methods combining microcolumn separations and bioassays such as enzyme assays and immunoassays. Studies of protein aggregates related to neurological diseases. We are developing new methods to analyze protein aggregates in collaboration with Dr. Ronald Wetzel. Many protein aggregates play a role in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease, but the formation and structure of these aggregates are poorly understood.