Chemistry Department: Jeannine M. Chan
Assistant Professor
Biochemistry
Chemistry Office: Murdock 112
Phone:(503) 352-2117
FAX: (503) 352-2933
E-Mail: chanj@pacificu.edu
B.S. Chemistry, University of Utah (1991)
B.F.A. Ballet, University of Utah (1991)
Ph.D. Biochemistry, Utah State University (2001)
Courses
Chem 220 General Chemistry I
Chem 240 Survey of Organic Chemistry
Chem 380 Biochemistry I
Chem 480 Biochemistry II
Chem 481 Biochemistry Laboratory
Research Interests
Dr. Chan’s research interests lie in the area of protein structure - function relationships of metalloenzymes. Studies in her lab focus on the bacterial enzymes of the global nitrogen cycle, the ecology of which can have substantial impacts to both agricultural productivity and water quality. Specifically, she is investigating the mechanism of the Mo-nitrogenase, which catalyzes biological nitrogen fixation (N2 to NH3), and the biosynthesis of nitrous oxide reductase, a copper-containing enzyme which catalyzes the last step of the denitrification pathway (N2O to N2).
Cool Biochemistry Links
- Medline: Biochemistry Literature Database from the National Institutes of Health
- Medlineplus: Website for accessing general medical information.
- Biochemical and Metabolic Pathways Chart
- Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM): Database of genetic diseases
- Biochemical Journal Titles and Abbreviations
- Nobel Prize Website
- Lasker Award for Medical Research: Educational information and awardee interviews
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute's 2002 Holiday Lectures on Science
- EPAs Green Chemistry
- Tulane University's Environmental Estrogens WebSite
- EPAs Columbia River Fish Contaminant Survey
- Cornell University Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors Program
Recent Publications and Presentations
Chan, J. M., Bollinger, J. A., Grewell, C. L., Dooley, D. M. (2004) Reductively activated nitrous oxide reductase reacts directly with substrate. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 126, 3030-3031.
Sorlie, M., Chan, J. M., Wang, H., Seefeldt, L. C., Parker, V. D. (2003) Elucidating thermodynamic parameters for electron transfer proteins using isothermal titration calorimetry: Application to the nitrogenase Fe protein. J. Biol. Inorg. Chem. 8, 560-566.
Chan, J. M., Wu, W., Dean, D. R., and Seefeldt, L. C. (2000) Construction and characterization of a heterodimeric Fe protein: Defining roles for ATP in nitrogenase catalysis. Biochemistry 39, 7221-7228.
Christiansen, J., Chan, J. M., Seefeldt, L. C., and Dean, D. R. (2000) The role of the MoFe protein a-125Phe and beta-125Phe residues in Azotobacter vinelandii MoFe protein-Fe protein interaction. J. Inorg. Biochem. 80, 195-204.
Chan, J. M., Christiansen, J., Dean, D. R., and Seefeldt, L. C. (1999) Spectroscopic evidence for changes in the redox state of the nitrogenase P-cluster during turnover. Biochemistry 34, 5779-5785.
Chan, J. M., Ryle, M. J., and Seefeldt, L. C. (1999) Evidence that MgATP accelerates primary electron transfer in a Clostridium pasteurianum Fe protein-Azotobacter vinelandii MoFe protein nitrogenase tight complex. J. Biol. Chem. 274, 17593-17598.