Researching Our Biological Clocks Through Drug Analysis
Professor Mehdi Moini
The Project: The research project is to investigate the fundamental factors that cause aging of artifact and affect change and degradation of biological specimens at the molecular level using separation techniques such as GC, HPLC, and capillary electrophoresis in conjunction with mass spectrometry. The fundamental factors that will be studied include: amino acid racemization, protein deamidation, and truncation. Our goal is to develop rapid and reliable methods for finding deterioration markers, and for dating of proteinaceous specimens that consume minimal amount of specimens.
Additionally, the second project involves development of new methods for detection of synthetic drugs and their positional and optical isomers.
Research Assistant Tasks: Currently there are 4 graduate students working on these projects. The Research Assistant tasks are to work alongside these graduate students as well as to work on their individual research projects related to the above projects. Students with chemistry, biochemistry, biology, anthropology, geology, are encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to students who will stay with the research project for at least two semesters. Experience with analytical chemistry and instrumentation is a plus.
Time Commitment: 10 or more hours per week
Credit Hour Options: 3
Application Requirements: Email a resume, list of courses taken so far and taking this semester, GPA, and availability during the week.
Contact Email: moinim@gwu.edu
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