Skip Navigation

 

Chemistry Seminars

Chemistry Seminar
March 8, 2012
Room 113, Lathrop Hall 11:30 a.m.

Mr. Michael Deci

Depression: Targeting the Serotonin Transporter and
Pharmacological Evaluation of Future Drugs

Abstract: Depression is the number one mental disorder. Five percent of the world’s population is said to be depressed ant any given time. The neurotransmitter serotonin has been proven to affect emotional behavior and for this reason has been the topic of research for treatment of depression. Serotonin, its reuptake transporter protein, and its receptors (5-HT receptors) are the main points of interest in current and future anti-depressant medication. Several different types of anti-depressant medication have been available for many years. However, older generation drugs and some newer drugs have limitations such as undesired side effects and onset time. This has led to discovery of newer drugs that have more potent inhibition, higher affinities and that target other neurotransmitters.

Ms. Jaeden Bull

Analysis of Ancient Pottery

Abstract: This seminar will discuss the chemical analysis of organic residues that have been absorbed into ancient Egyptian pottery, more specifically into ancient Egyptian wine vessels. The purpose is to identify tartaric acid, syringic acid and plant additives which are considered wine markers. Liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy in tandem mode (LC/MS/MS) with multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM) is used to identify tartaric acid and syringic acid. Headspace solid phase micro extraction and thermal desorption GC/MS analysis was used to identify any plant additives. Results suggest that the ancient vessels analyzed did contain wine due to the detection of the wine markers in the organic residues.