Dr. LR Masterson |
Dr. Masterson joined the Department of Chemistry at Hamline University in 2012 as Assistant Professor. He received his doctoral degree in Chemisty (with an emphasis in Chemical Biology) in 2008 at the University of Minnesota, then continued at the UofM as a postdoctoral fellow under a NIH-Ruth Kirschstein award. His duration at the UofM involved the labs of Drs. Gianluigi Veglia, Jiali Gao, and George Barany. His work has led to over 20 publications, highlighted in journals such as Nature Chemical Biology and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. This research mainly focused on the study of protein-protein interactions in the context of heart muscle contractility, specifically those that are correlated with dilated cardiomyopathy. He also made contributions to the development of NMR methods to study proteins (particularly large proteins with poor signal and resolution), the characterization of peptides with model folding behavior, the overexpression of small peptides from chimeric proteins in prokaryotic systems for facile enrichment of stable isotopes, directed evolution of proteins, enzymology of kinases and amylases, and the development of synthetic approaches to obtain modified peptides for use in the inhibition of metalloproteases.
One mainstream project that Dr. Masterson is now focused on at Hamline University is understanding the mechanism behind protein dysfunction leading to Alzheimer's disease or associated with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy from the head injuries of athletes. Using a battery of techniques, including thermocalorimetry, steady-state kinetics, molecular dynamics simulations, and NMR spectroscopy, Dr. Masterson is working to establish a general framework for the physical basis of protein aggregation. His long term goal is to establish a clearer understanding of the connection between protein structure, dynamics, and function, particularly in the context of disease.
Dr. Masterson also has been studying how drug-drug interactions occur with the enzyme Cyp3A4, a protein that is believed to be involved in the clearance of about half of the drugs ingested. Specifically, he has focused on the benzodiazepine class of drugs to study their behavior when Cyp3A4 binds and catalyzes their conversion to a more polar molecule in the presence of other commonly ingested drugs.
Dr. Masterson also serves on the Advisory Board for the company NeoCardial Technologies in Minneapolis, MN. This company is working toward novel designs of heart pump mimetics used in the treatment of congestive heart failure. He has additionally been assigned to the Editorial Board for Medical Review Archives, a quarterly journal which focuses on research within the area of medicine.
When Dr. M isn't working on science, he stays busy raising his daughters: Bella Rose, Olivia, and Lauren. His favorite activity is towing his kids on bike rides and being outdoors trying to keep up with their quick feet.
Courses taught at Hamline University:
Biochemistry II (lecture and laboratory)
Chemical Biology
General Chemistry I
Molecular Biophysics
Organic Chemistry Laboratory I and II
Physical Chemistry I & II
Physical Chemistry Laboratory
Research Techniques I and II
One mainstream project that Dr. Masterson is now focused on at Hamline University is understanding the mechanism behind protein dysfunction leading to Alzheimer's disease or associated with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy from the head injuries of athletes. Using a battery of techniques, including thermocalorimetry, steady-state kinetics, molecular dynamics simulations, and NMR spectroscopy, Dr. Masterson is working to establish a general framework for the physical basis of protein aggregation. His long term goal is to establish a clearer understanding of the connection between protein structure, dynamics, and function, particularly in the context of disease.
Dr. Masterson also has been studying how drug-drug interactions occur with the enzyme Cyp3A4, a protein that is believed to be involved in the clearance of about half of the drugs ingested. Specifically, he has focused on the benzodiazepine class of drugs to study their behavior when Cyp3A4 binds and catalyzes their conversion to a more polar molecule in the presence of other commonly ingested drugs.
Dr. Masterson also serves on the Advisory Board for the company NeoCardial Technologies in Minneapolis, MN. This company is working toward novel designs of heart pump mimetics used in the treatment of congestive heart failure. He has additionally been assigned to the Editorial Board for Medical Review Archives, a quarterly journal which focuses on research within the area of medicine.
When Dr. M isn't working on science, he stays busy raising his daughters: Bella Rose, Olivia, and Lauren. His favorite activity is towing his kids on bike rides and being outdoors trying to keep up with their quick feet.
Courses taught at Hamline University:
Biochemistry II (lecture and laboratory)
Chemical Biology
General Chemistry I
Molecular Biophysics
Organic Chemistry Laboratory I and II
Physical Chemistry I & II
Physical Chemistry Laboratory
Research Techniques I and II