• Request Info
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Give
  • Request Info
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Give

Search

  • A-Z Index
  • Map

Chemistry

  • About
    • Student Organizations
    • Connect With Us
    • Careers With Us
    • Employee/Student Travel Request
    • Share Your Dr. Schweitzer Story
  • Undergraduate Students
    • Majors and Minors
    • First Year Students
    • Undergraduate Research
    • Summer Programs
    • Chemistry Lab Excused Absence
    • Apply
  • Graduate Students
    • Our Programs
    • Graduate Student Resources
    • Research Open House
    • Apply
  • Faculty
  • People
  • Research
    • Research Areas
    • Facilities
  • News
Home » Uncategorized » Page 3

Uncategorized

Kilbey’s Research Leadership with ORE

October 22, 2020 by Kayla Benson

Mike Kilbey wraps up a year of research leadership at the UT, Knoxville, serving as chair of the Research Council of Faculty Senate and as a Faculty Fellow for Strategic Research Initiatives in the Office of Research and Engagement.

The Research Council works to promote excellence in research, scholarship, and creative activity, and provides counsel to the university’s research administration on matters that effect research.

The role of a Faculty Fellow is to assist the Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Research Initiatives and their team in efforts to strategically position and enhance competitiveness for large, multidisciplinary research funding.

“It was exciting to see the diversity of scholarly work that is ongoing at UT, to connect with faculty and research leaders from across the university, and to be engaged at a time when dynamic changes that impact the research landscape of the university are taking place,” Kilbey said.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Heberle Lab’s Latest Achievements

October 21, 2020 by Kayla Benson

Research in the Heberle Lab is aimed at elucidating the structure and function of biological membranes, with a focus on the plasma membrane.

Fred A. Heberle is coauthor of the recently published book Characterization of Biological Membranes. This book explores the high importance  of membranes in the fields of biology, pharmaceutical chemistry and medicine, since much of what happens in a cell or in a virus involves biological membranes. This book is an excellent introduction to the area, which explains how modern analytical methods can be applied to study biological membranes and membrane proteins and the bioprocesses they are involved to.

Heberle was also awarded $1.7M from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for The Research Project (R01). The R01 is the original and historically oldest grant mechanism used by NIH. The R01 provides support for health-related research and development based on the mission of the NIH. The Heberle Lab aims to extend membrane studies through an unprecedented integration of lipidomics, biophysical experiments, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryoEM), and advanced molecular simulations, to test their central hypothesis that compositionally asymmetric membranes have unique biophysical properties resulting from robust coupling between lateral and transverse membrane organization. 

The Heberle Lab had a journal cover on Nanoscale for their work on “Transverse lipid organization dictates bending fluctuations in model plasma membranes.” 

The Heberle Lab published their research “Direct label-free imaging of nanodomains in biomimetic and biological membranes by cryogenic electron microscopy” in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA. They worked with a collaborative team to capture the first direct images of tiny cell membrane domains known as lipid rafts. The images were published as a journal cover in PNAS. 

PNAS also published the Heberle Lab’s collaborative research “How cholesterol stiffens unsaturated lipid membranes.”  Their observations that cholesterol causes local stiffening in DOPC membranes indicate that a reassessment of existing concepts is necessary. These findings have far-reaching implications in understanding cholesterol’s role in biology and its applications in bioengineering and drug design.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Xue Group’s Recent Research

October 21, 2020 by Kayla Benson

The Xue group has published multiple papers this year. This group’s research focuses on three areas: spectroscopic studies of molecular magnetism, synthesis and characterization of transition metal complexes, and the development of new chemical analyses. 

 Inorganic Chemistry published their work “Inter-Kramers Transitions and Spin–Phonon Couplings in a Lanthanide-Based Single-Molecule Magnet.” Spin–phonon coupling plays a critical role in magnetic relaxation in single-molecule magnets (SMMs) and molecular qubits. This research shows spin–phonon couplings between IR-active phonons in a lanthanide molecular complex and Kramers doublets (from the crystal field). This study unveils and measures the spin–phonon couplings in a typical lanthanide complex and throw light on the origin of the spin–phonon entanglement.

Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry published the group’s work on “Direct Observation of Magnetic Transitions in a Nickel(II) Complex with Large Anisotropy.” 

Chemosphere published their work “Sustained Release of Persulfate from Inert Inorganic Materials for Groundwater Remediation.” This work demonstrates the potential feasibility of sustained persulfate release from inert matrices for groundwater treatment.

They also have an invited review for the Comprehensive Coordination III  on Tantalum in press. 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Vogiatzis Lab Published in Physical Chemistry Letters

September 10, 2020 by Kayla Benson

The Vogiatzis Lab published their work “Direct Identification of Mixed-Metal Centers in Metal−Organic Frameworks: Cu3(BTC)2 Transmetalated with Rh2+ Ions” in a collaborative piece in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters.

Raman spectroscopy was used to establish direct evidence of heterometallic metal centers in a metal–organic framework (MOF). The Cu3(BTC)2 MOF HKUST-1 (BTC3– = benzenetricarboxylate) was transmetalated by heating it in a solution of RhCl3 to substitute Rh2+ ions for Cu2+ ions in the dinuclear paddlewheel nodes of the framework. In addition to the Cu–Cu and Rh–Rh stretching modes, Raman spectra of (CuxRh1–x)3(BTC)2 show the Cu–Rh stretching mode, indicating that mixed-metal Cu–Rh nodes are formed after transmetalation.

Density functional theory studies confirmed the assignment of a Raman peak at 285 cm–1 to the Cu–Rh stretching vibration. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy experiments further supported the conclusion that Rh2+ ions are substituted into the paddlewheel nodes of Cu3(BTC)2 to form an isostructural heterometallic MOF, and electron microscopy studies showed that Rh and Cu are homogeneously distributed in (CuxRh1–x)3(BTC)2 on the nanoscale.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Do Lab Published in Analytical Chemistry

September 4, 2020 by Kayla Benson

The Do Lab published their research “Cytotoxicity of α-Helical, Staphylococcus aureus PSMα3 Investigated by Post-Ion-Mobility Dissociation Mass Spectrometry” in Analytical Chemistry.

Staphylococcus aureus, a major bacterial human pathogen, secretes phenol-soluble modulin (PSM) peptides to stimulate inflammatory responses and kill human cells. PSMα3 is the prominent member of the PSM family and exerts its toxic function via the formation of cross-α fibrils. The fibril structure of PSMα3 resembles the eukaryotic amyloid fibrils found in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease patient, but each unit is an α-helix peptide and not a β-strand.

In this study, the Do Lab investigated how oligomeric structures and interactions with cell membrane mimetics could determine peptide cytotoxicity. To overcome the dynamic nature of interaction and aggregation process, they use ion mobility spectrometry mass spectrometry (IMS-MS) to measure the molecular shapes of the oligomeric species.

Due to the weakly-bound nature of these oligomers, it is possible for them to dissociate within the mass spectrometer. This phenomenon, called post-ion mobility dissociation, has been well documented in the past but has not been considered in previous biomolecular self-assembly studies.

The Do Lab took advantage of this typically undesired phenomenon to elucidate the molecular structures of the oligomers and determine the number of detergent molecules (which mimic the lipids in cell membrane) required to stabilize the complexes.

Consequently, the most toxic PSMα3 variant was shown to preserve its α-helical signature and required the smallest number of detergent molecules, indicating that a key virulence factor of toxic PSMα3 lies in its ability to quickly insert into the cell membrane. The same approach can be applied to similar peptide systems. Amber Gray, first author and graduate student said, “Ultimately, our study highlights the ambiguity previously present in IMS-MS data and sheds new insight into the interpretation of such data in biomolecular self-assembly studies.”

Learn More

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Welcome New Department Members

August 24, 2020 by Kayla Benson

Viktor Nemykin, Department Head

Nemykin received his BS and MS in chemistry from the Kyiv State University and a PhD from the National Academy of Sciences in Ukraine working on transition-metal and lanthanide phthalocyanines. He received a highly competitive postdoctoral fellowship, supported by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, which he completed at Tohoku University working on the preparation of phthalocyanines and their analogs. After completing another postdoctoral program at Duquesne University in bio-inorganic chemistry, Nemykin joined the faculty of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Minnesota Duluth. In 2016, Nemykin was recruited as a department head to the University of Manitoba. He joined the UT chemistry department in August 2020.

 

Joshua Baccile, Assistant Professor

The focus of Baccile’s doctoral research applied analytical chemistry approaches for a comprehensive annotation of cryptic biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in filamentous fungi. Central to his efforts was the use of 2D-NMR and HPLC-MS-based comparative metabolomics. Correlating changes in fungal metabolomes with genetic modification of BGCs enabled the synchronous discovery of new chemical species and enzymatic activity. His team expanded the recently emerging class of natural products, fungal isoquinolines, to include the imizoquins from the imq cluster in the plant pathogenic fungus Aspergillus flavus. Beyond detailing imq biogenesis, they discovered a functional basis for the imizoquins through characterizing antagonistic cross-talk with the ralstonins of the bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum. While thousands of natural products have been described, their functions within the producing organisms are largely unknown. Baccile’s efforts to bridge this gap, such as his study of the imizoquins, will be important for sustained agriculture, biotechnology, and drug discovery.

 

Ashleigh Thomas, Lecturer

Originally from Beckley, West Virginia and earned a PhD at UT in 2011. Thomas served as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Lincoln Memorial University from 2011 until 2020. This fall, Thomas will be teaching CHEM260, CHEM269, and CHEM389. 

 

Douglas Stuart, Lecturer

Originally from State College, Pennsylvania and earned a PhD at Indiana University, Bloomington with Shuming Nie. Stuart performed postdoctoral research with RP Van Duyne at Northwestern University exploring biological applications of the optical properties of noble metal and semiconductor nanoparticles. This fall, Stuart will be teaching CHEM130, CHEM339, and CHEM379.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Diversity & Inclusion

August 17, 2020 by Kayla Benson

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Hazari Online

August 3, 2020 by Kayla Benson

Dr. Al Hazari Magic ShowAl Hazari, retired UT professor, has been conducting experiments on Zoom to teach and inspire chemistry enthusiasts.

“I have always enjoyed teaching and sharing something of myself and my knowledge with anyone ages 2 to 102,” Hazari said. “What we’re really after are science-literate citizens. Everyone should know about science, be comfortable with science, and never stop being curious and inquisitive about the wonders of science.”

This summer, Hazari has utilized the Zoom platform to teach Forensic Chemistry Camp for middle school students, ORAU workshops, the Harriman Public Library Chemistry Magic Show, and local WBIR presentations. 

Hazari WBIR 1

Hazari WBIR 2

Hazari WBIR 3

Filed Under: Artsci, News, Uncategorized

Mourning the Passing of Ffrancon Williams

July 25, 2020 by Kayla Benson

Thomas Ffrancon Williams was born on January 30, 1928, and passed away on July 18, 2020.

Williams received his BSc degree from University College London in 1949, and an external Ph.D. degree from the University of London in 1960. He was employed at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, United Kingdom from 1949 to 1961 except for a leave of absence as a research and teaching associate at Northwestern University from 1957 to 1959. In 1961 he joined the chemistry faculty at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

“Francon was a dedicated teacher and outstanding experimental physical chemist,” said Jeffery Kovac, chemistry emeritus professor. “He was an ESR spectroscopist who studied radicals produced by gamma radiation.  Ffrancon did some groundbreaking work on cationic polymerization,” 

Williams was a National Science Foundation Visiting Scientist to Kyoto University, Japan from 1965 to 1966 and was the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1972. He has been chairman of the Gordon Research Conferences on Radiation Chemistry (1971) and Radical Ions (1984), and served as an associate and consultant editor of Radiation Research, the official journal of the Radiation Research Society, from 1994 to 1999.

“He was always so kind and nice to me. Our respect went both ways. I will surely miss him, his kind words and phone calls,” said Pam Roach, chemistry staff.

“Ffrancon was a devoted member of our chemistry faculty for many years, and had a wonderful, calm and knowledgeable manner about him,” said Don Esidenberg, development director. “He will surely be missed. Gratefully, he will be remembered by future generations through the Ffrancon Williams Faculty Award in Chemistry Endowment.”

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Campagna Group Published in Environmental Microbiology

July 15, 2020 by Kayla Benson

The Campagna Group has published a collaborative piece titled “Nitrogen flux into metabolites and microcystins changes in response to different nitrogen sources in Microcystis aeruginosa NIES-843” in Environmental Biology. 

The over-enrichment of nitrogen (N) in the environment has contributed to severe and recurring harmful cyanobacterial blooms, especially by the non-N2 -fixing Microcystis spp. N chemical speciation influences cyanobacterial growth, persistence and the production of the hepatotoxin microcystin, but the physiological mechanisms to explain these observations remain unresolved.

Stable-labelled isotopes and metabolomics were employed to address the influence of nitrate, ammonium, and urea on cellular physiology and production of microcystins in Microcystis aeruginosa NIES-843. Global metabolic changes were driven by both N speciation and diel cycling. Tracing 15 N-labelled nitrate, ammonium, and urea through the metabolome revealed N uptake, regardless of species, was linked to C assimilation.

The production of amino acids, like arginine, and other N-rich compounds corresponded with greater turnover of microcystins in cells grown on urea compared to nitrate and ammonium. However, 15 N was incorporated into microcystins from all N sources. The differences in N flux were attributed to the energetic efficiency of growth on each N source.

While N in general plays an important role in sustaining biomass, these data show that N-speciation induces physiological changes that culminate in differences in global metabolism, cellular microcystin quotas and congener composition.

 

Filed Under: Organic Chemistry, Uncategorized

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • Next Page »

Recent Posts

  • 2025 Honors Day
  • 2025 Undergraduate Awards
  • Baccile Awarded $1.8 Million Grant for Pioneering Research on Five-Carbon Metabolism
  • UT Chemistry Lab Explores Dipeptides for Carbon Dioxide Capture
  • Chemical Bonds – Fall 2024

Recent Comments

No comments to show.

College of Arts & Sciences

117 Natalie L. Haslam Music Center
1741 Volunteer Blvd.
Knoxville TN 37996-2600

Phone: 865-974-3241

Archives

  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • September 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • September 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • December 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • October 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • January 2011
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010

Categories

  • ACGS
  • alumni
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Artsci
  • award
  • Bailey
  • Best
  • BOV
  • Brantley
  • Calhoun
  • Campagna
  • Dadmun
  • Dai
  • Darko
  • Do
  • endowment
  • faculty
  • Faculty
  • Featured
  • fellowship
  • Graduate Student Spotlight
  • Graduate Students
  • Hazari
  • Heberle
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Jenkins
  • Kilbey
  • Larese
  • Long
  • Musfeldt
  • NCW
  • Nemykin
  • News
  • newsletter
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Sharma
  • Sokolov
  • Uncategorized
  • undergraduate
  • Undergraduate Student Spotlight
  • Vogiatzis
  • Xue
  • Zhao

Copyright © 2025 · University of Tennessee, Knoxville WDS Genesis Child on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Chemistry

College of Arts & Sciences

552 Buehler Hall
1420 Circle Dr.
Knoxville, TN 37996-1600

Email: chemistry@utk.edu

Phone: 865-974-3141

 

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
865-974-1000

The flagship campus of the University of Tennessee System and partner in the Tennessee Transfer Pathway.

ADA Privacy Safety Title IX