Christopher Cain Email & Phone Number

United States

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Notre Dame, Indiana, United States

My work in the Del Valle research lab has involved the synthesis of peptides and natural products containing unusual amino acid residues. My initial project involved synthetic studies toward eleganine A, a cytotoxic indole alkaloid containing an unusual proline congener. I have synthesized of analogues of BI0-9, a potent IRE-1 inhibitor, as well as ε-oxapipecolic acid, a pipecolic acid analogue which enhances trans amide rotamer propensity. My current work involves the synthesis, characterization, and derivatization of pseudouridimycin (PUM), a naturally occurring C-nucleoside RNAP inhibitor.In conjunction with the synthetic knowledge used to carry out the above work, I have developed complementary skills in several relevant areas. I possess significant experience with compound characterization via 1D and 2D NMR, LCMS, HRMS, TLC, and HPLC. My repertoire of compound purification methods includes RP-HPLC, column chromatography, and recrystallization. I also possess excellent written and oral communication skills for my field. Two of my projects have involved significant collaboration with laboratories specializing in either antibacterial or cancer research, resulting in the publication of three peer reviewed papers. I have presented my work at major national conferences such as the American Chemical Society (ACS) and American Peptide Society (APS), receiving awards to fund my travel and for the presentations themselves.

Organic Chemistry

My work has focused on the synthesis of pseudouridimycin, a naturally occuring C-nucleoside antibiotic which selectively targets bacterial.

Organic Chemistry

My work involved synthetic studies towards eleganine A, an indole alkaloid possessing a unique 4-ethylideneproline-3-alkylprolinol ring.

Chemistry

Synthesis of organometallic compounds with applications in OLEDs.

Bachelors Of Science - B.S., Chemistry