Chemformation

The Weekly Newsletter of the MIT Chemistry Department

Volume 12, Number 22
Friday, June 7, 1996

Next issue: June 14,1996. Chemformation is published by the Office of the Department Chairman. The deadline for the next issue is Tuesday, June 11. Please convey items of interest (or mailing list changes) to Linda Earle, Room 18-393, Department of Chemistry, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, 617/253-4080; 617/258-7500 (fax) or email to lkn@mit.edu Back issues of Chemformation can be accessed via the Chemistry Department Website.

Visit the Chemistry Department Website at http://web.mit.edu/chemistry/www/

Professor Alan Davison and Colleagues Develop Dopamine Imaging Agent Which May Lead to Advances in Parkinson's Disease

Professor Alan Davison and his colleagues have developed a new brain-imaging agent which may lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of Parkinson's disease as well as other conditions affecting older people i.e., depression and attention deficit disorder. The compound, named "technepine" binds to dopamine transporters in the brain's striatum and carry the brain chemical to receptors. It is also a marker for several disorders and is also affected by the use of drugs including cocaine and alcohol.

The technepine compound is based on technetium, an element that Professor Davison describes as the "workhouse of diagnostic nuclear medicine" which after being introduced into an affected portion of a patient's body acts as a short-lived radioactive "tag" allowing doctors and scientists to obtain detailed information from it. Cardiolite, Professor Davison's earlier discovery patented in 1984 by he and his former graduate student, Michael J. Abrams and Alun G. Jones of Harvard was a different technetium compound, widely used for heart perfusion imaging and showing promise for the detection of breast tumors.

Technepine can be routinely made in the laboratory and eventually in most hospital's radiopharmacies, whereas probes based on radioactive carbon or fluroine must be produced in a cyclotron. Professor Davison suggests that if this can be used successfully with patients, it would be a very important tool for diagnosing ailments and monitoring treatment efficacy, ultimately leading to the design of more effective drug treatment.

Congratulations to all Chemistry Graduates!

Commencement is Friday, June 7th and on behalf of the faculty, staff and remaining students best wishes are offered to the graduates, may you all go on to happy, productive and fulfulling careers!! Below find the list of September,1995-June,1996 graduates and their Advisor and Degree:

Positions

• National Diagnostics, Atlanta, GA: has an opening for a Ph.D. synthetic organic Chemist with emphasis in the production and development of reagents useful to the field of molecular biology. Particular experience in electrophoretic biopolymer separations, cross-linking proteins, and luminescent labels would facilitate assimilation into the existing technical development team. The other opening is for a MS bench/large glassware chemist with experience in synthetic organic chemistry. Good theoretical knowledge with literature research skills who can contribute to the development and production of new and existing products. Pleasant, creative, intellectual environment. Salary commensurate with experience. Fax or send resume to: National Diagnostics, 305 Patton Drive, Atlanta, GA 30336, (404) 699-2121 0r (800)-526-3867 or fax to (404) 699-2077.
  
  
• University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine: The Crump Institute for Biological Imaging is seeking applicants with experience in synthetic organic chemistry for a tenure-track faculty position. The vision of the Crump Institute is to merge biology and medicine with modern imaging technology. They are seeking a person who has an interest in biological applications to work as part of a research consortium to develop novel radiolabeled probes for use in positron emission tomography. Candidates should submit three copies of their cv, a statement of their research plans, and three letters of reference. Application materials should be sent to Theresa Sama, Search Coordinator, Crump Institute for Biological Imaging, JLNRC, UCLA School of Medicine, A-222 JLNRC, Box 951770, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1770.
  
  

Postdoctoral Fellowship

• University of Rochester in Rochester, New York: has an opening for two postdoctoral positions in the lab of Guillermo C. Bazan. The first project, sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and National Science Foundation involves the synthesis and characterization of emissive polymers. For specific details please refer to: J.Am Chem. Soc. 1994, 116, 9379, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1995, 117, 11407 and J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1996, 118, 2618. They are especially interested in applicants with an interest in learning new chemistry and a background in either synthesis (of any type) or polymer photophysics. The second project is concerned with the preparation of organometallic complexes containing boron heterocycles. They have discovered that the electron density at the metal can be modulated by the choice of boron substituent in a way not possible with the cyclopentadienyl ligand. Specific details can be found in the: J. Am. Chem. 1995, 117, 2671 and J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1996, 118, 2291. Applicants should submit a CV a short research summary, and the names of two or three references and are welcome to contact Professor Bazan directly at (716) 275-1626 or e-mail Bazan@chem.chem.Rochester.edu
  
  

Faculty Positions

• Berea College, Berea, Kentucky: Seeks an organic chemist for a one-year appointment for 1996-97. The successful applicant will teach general and organic chemistry in the Fall term and advanced organic and nursing chemistry in the Spring. Applicants should sent a letter of application, resume with graduate and undergraduate transcripts, and two letters of recommendation as soon as possible to Dr. Tom Beebe, Department of Chemistry, Berea College, Berea, KY 40404. Phone number is (606) 986-9341 -ex. 6276 or 6323; e-mail tom_beebe@berea.edu
  
  

Index of Chemformation Back Issues