UCLA

Houk-Jung Organic Colloquium 247: Timothy Cernak
2024-04-25 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222
Combinatorial Explosion: From Atom-Bond Arrangements to Exotic Diseases
Abstract: Chemical synthesis and data science are two fields that operate in synergy. Molecules and the routes to synthesize them are easily represented as graphs while automated chemical synthesis strategies allow more and more synthesis data to be captured, for instance to feed machine learning algorithms. This talk will detail our work in this area focused on a new class of amine-acid cross coupling reactions, and the computer-assisted synthesis of drugs and natural products. We have been exploring the breadth of all reactions that could exist, navigating combinatorial explosions of virtual and plausible reaction methods, routes to complex molecules, and the interconnectedness of reaction conditions, transformations, and biological functions. Our agnostic view of reactions and their mechanisms has recently extended to diseases, with a focus on One Health.

Cernak Flyer

Chem 218 Student Exit Seminar: Quynh Duong
2024-04-25 12:00 - 13:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Chemistry for a Healthy World
2024-04-24 17:00 - 21:00 | CNSI Auditorium
Miguel García-Garibay
Senior Dean, UCLA College
Dean, Division of Physical Sciences
cordially invites you to attend a symposium on
Chemistry for a Healthy World
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
5:00 p.m. Reception
6:00 p.m. Presentations
CNSI Lobby and Auditorium
UCLA Campus
The UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry are pleased to present “Chemistry for a Healthy World.” This event aims to reveal the current trends, recent advances and new approaches in Medicinal Chemistry and Biochemistry related to human health. This is a great opportunity to learn about research being conducted by UCLA faculty and to participate in discussions and presentations by leading experts about new advances and innovations in the field.
Join us for presentations and a panel discussion with
Michael E. Jung
Distinguished Professor, Walter and Shirley Wang Endowed Chair in Medicinal Drug Discovery
“Drug Discovery in Academia: Some Success Stories”
Heather Maynard
Professor, Dr. Myung Ki Hong Endowed Chair in Polymer Science
“Responsive Medicines for Diabetes and Pain”
Ellen Sletten
Associate Professor
“Illuminating the Body”
Stuart Conway
Professor, Michael and Alice Jung Endowed Chair in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery
“Using Chemistry to Target Cancer”
RSVP – join us in person
Self-parking available in Structure 2
Public transit to UCLA

Chem 263 Seminars in Chemical Biology - Prof. John Pezacki
2024-04-23 16:00 - 17:30 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

The Chemistry of Compelling Communication - Dr. Wendy Young
2024-04-23 13:30 - 15:30 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222
Fran Zone brings us her first “Compelling Communicator” with Dr Wendy Young on Tuesday, April 23rd 2024, 1:30-3:30pm in Dongwon Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall (YH4222)
Refreshments and Reception to Follow
RSVP Today!
UCLA April 2024 Flyer
Dr Wendy Young
Dr. Wendy Young is a Drug Hunter whose career in drug discovery includes leadership roles in biopharma, publishing, government and venture capital. Her career in drug discovery includes serving as the first woman to lead Small Molecule Discovery at Genentech and playing a significant role in building their small molecule division from the ground up. In 2019, she was named one of the “Top Twenty Extraordinary Women in Biopharma” by Endpoint News. Dr. Young is also the recipient of the 2020 ACS National Earl Barnes Award, which recognizes outstanding achievements in chemical research management. She is a popular keynote speaker at symposiums around the world.

Fran Zone
Fran Zone is the creator of The Zone Method™, a proven communication tool for being compelling, memorable, and concise while navigating through life and career. Fran is a communication expert and message strategist whose career path includes being an award-winning radio and television news producer, instructor at UC Berkeley, and a message strategy coach to Fortune 100 executives. Her clients include scientists, engineers, drug hunters, and top leaders in the Biotech arena.

Physical Chemistry Seminar 228: Professor Jonathan Hood
2024-04-22 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Houk-Jung Organic Colloquium 247: Tianning Diao
2024-04-18 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222
Leveraging One- and Two-Electron Mechanisms in Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling
Abstract: While palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions have revolutionized the construction of multi-aryl scaffolds in pharmaceutical synthesis, the reactivity of nickel in mediating radical pathways has expanded the scope of cross-coupling to include various alkyl motifs. Through our mechanistic investigations and an understanding of ligand effects, we established that strong -donor and -acceptor ligands, with redox activity, facilitate nickel catalysts to initiate radical formation, capture radicals, and direct bond formation from open-shell intermediates. Given the orthogonal reactivity of radicals with polar functional groups in biomolecules, these radical pathways have introduced innovative methods for synthesizing non-canonical peptides and carbohydrates, important for drug discovery. In contrast, two-electron pathways are crucial for nickel-catalyzed bi-aryl coupling. Building on this insight, we developed a novel ligand that enhances the reactivity of nickel-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura couplings, paving the way for the application of nickel catalysts in pharmaceutical process synthesis.
Diao Flyer

Jeffrey I. Zink Inorganic Chemistry Seminar Series – Prof. Jarad Mason
2024-04-17 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222
Flyer: Prof. Jarad Mason Flyer
Title: Manipulating Phase Transitions and Porosity: From Solid Refrigerants to Microporous Water
Abstract: Materials that undergo phase transitions in response to specific stimuli and that contain pores tailored to interact with specific guest molecules offer unique opportunities for addressing many important global challenges. Here, I will describe two recent examples of how phase-change materials and microporous materials can be leveraged for a range of energy and biomedical applications, including sustainable heat pumps, electrocatalysis, organ preservation, bioreactors, and in vivo gas delivery. First, I will discuss how hydrocarbon order–disorder phase transitions in layered organic and metal–organic materials can be manipulated to drive large barocaloric effects—thermal changes induced by hydrostatic pressure—in a new class of solid refrigerants. Second, I will describe a new approach to transporting gas molecules in aqueous solutions that overcomes limitations associated with the low solubility of nearly all gases in water. Specifically, I will show how aqueous solutions of microporous nanocrystals can be designed with low viscosities, long-term colloidal stability, and micropores that remain permanently dry even when surrounded by liquid water. This allows high densities of gas molecules, including oxygen, to be stored and released within aqueous environments.

Physical Chemistry Seminar 228: Professor James Rondinelli
2024-04-15 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Dickerson Biochemistry Seminar – Stephen Jamieson (The University of Auckland)
2024-04-12 15:30 - 16:30 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Houk-Jung Organic Colloquium 247: Julian West
2024-04-11 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222
West Flyer
A Radical Approach to Organic Chemistry
Abstract: Synthetic chemists need ever better tools to synthesize the molecules of modern life, from life-changing pharmaceuticals to next generation materials. Further, there is increasing need for these transformations to be both step and atom efficient and sustainable, proceeding under mild conditions using earth abundant elements. Here we show how employing open shell intermediates strategically allows for challenging transformations to be achieved directly, from alkene difunctionalization to carboxylic acid deletion. Importantly, these reactions make use of earth abundant elements and proceed under mild conditions, with many being driven by light. Together, our studies demonstrate the versatility of radical reactions to achieve challenging disconnections that are sustainable and environmentally-responsible.

Jeffrey I. Zink Inorganic Chemistry Seminar Series – Prof. Guosong Hong
2024-04-10 16:00 - 17:00
Flyer: Prof. Guosong Hong Flyer
Title: Seeing the Sound: An Ultrasound-Mediated Intravascular Light Source Enabled by Mechanoluminescent Materials
Abstract: Light is used in a wide range of methods in chemistry, biology, and medicine, fluorescence imaging, optogenetics, photoactivatable gene editing, light-controlled immunotherapy, and photochemotherapy for treating cancers and viral infections. A critical challenge for all light-based methods in live biological tissues arises from the poor penetration of photons, largely due to scattering and absorption. This limitation frequently necessitates invasive procedures, such as physical sectioning of the tissue, insertion of optical fibers and endoscopes, as well as surgical removal of overlying tissues (e.g., craniotomy). To address these challenges, our lab has developed an ultrasound-mediated intravascular light source, leveraging the deep-tissue penetration of focused ultrasound. We capitalized on mechanoluminescent nanotransducers (MLNTs), which are colloidal nanoparticles of mechanoluminescent materials synthesized via a biomineral-inspired suppressed dissolution approach. These MLNTs can be delivered intravenously into blood circulation and emit light locally at the ultrasound focus. Owing to the deep penetration and fast temporal kinetics of ultrasound, we have demonstrated that this method can produce on-demand and dynamically programmable light emission patterns at elevated depths in different organs of live mice with millisecond precision. This ultrasound-mediated intravascular light source has allowed us to perform noninvasive “sono-optogenetic” neuromodulation in live mice, as well as brain-wide “scanning optogenetics” that activate different brain regions of the same mouse brain. I will conclude my talk by presenting an outlook on how advances in photonic materials may facilitate the development of next-generation brain-machine interfaces.

Special Biochemistry Seminar: Prof. Steffen Lindert
2024-04-09 11:00 - 12:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222
Flyer: Prof. Steffen Lindert Flyer
Title: Using Computers to Derive Protein Structure from Sparse Data – A Case Study for Mass Spectrometry
Abstract: Mass spectrometry-based methods such as covalent labeling, surface induced dissociation (SID) or ion mobility (IM) are increasingly used to obtain information about protein structure. However, in contrast to other high-resolution structure determination methods, this information is not sufficient to deduce all atom coordinates and can only inform on certain elements of structure, such as solvent exposure of individual residues, properties of protein-protein interfaces or protein shape. Computational methods are needed to predict high-resolution protein structures from the mass spectrometry (MS) data. Our group develops algorithms within the Rosetta software package that use mass spectrometry data to guide protein structure prediction. These algorithms can incorporate several different types of mass spectrometry data, such as covalent labeling, surface induced dissociation, and ion mobility. We developed scoring functions that assess the agreement of residue exposure with covalent labeling data, the agreement of protein-protein interface energies with SID data and the agreement of protein model shapes with collision cross section (CCS) IM measurements. We subsequently rescored Rosetta models generated with de novo protein folding and protein-protein docking and we were able to accurately predict protein structure from MS labeling, SID and IM data. Future work is focusing on developing custom machine learning models to predict protein structure from MS data.

Physical Chemistry Seminar 228: Professor Michael Zuerch
2024-04-08 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Chem 218 Student Exit Seminar: Katie White
2024-04-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Jeffrey I. Zink Inorganic Chemistry Seminar Series – Prof. Amanda Cook
2024-04-03 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222
Flyer: Prof. Amanda Cook Flyer
Title: Alkene Functionalization Using Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysts
Abstract: Surface Organometallic Chemistry is an approach to synthesizing heterogeneous catalysts with molecular precision and relies on knowledge of homogeneous organometallic reactions. In our lab, we aim to install active sites on surfaces using oxidative addition of low-valent metal centers to surface functional groups. This strategy is a complementary route to the more common approaches (e.g., protonolysis of metal-ligand bonds by acidic surface sites) taken in surface organometallic chemistry. Using our approach, we developed a heterogeneous nickel-hydride catalyst that is highly active and selective for alkene isomerization. This reaction development was enabled by our work on homogeneous N-heterocyclic carbene-nickel catalysts for both alkene isomerization and hydrosilylation, which both utilize a nickel-hydride complex as the active catalyst.

Chem 218 Student Exit Seminar: Cameron Movassaghi
2024-04-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Physical Chemistry Seminar 228: Prof. Jeremy Johnson
2024-04-01 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Jeffrey I. Zink Inorganic Chemistry Seminar Series – Prof. Courtney Roberts
2024-03-27 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222
Flyer: Prof. Courtney Roberts Flyer
Title: Access to Inaccessible Arynes and Redox Chemistry Using Transition Metals
Abstract: Research in the Roberts group involves looking at unsolved problems in organic synthesis through the perspective of organometallic/inorganic chemistry. One main area of interest for the group is the synthesis of heterocycles through aryne intermediates. Despite their useful reactivity, a number of challenges still remain in the use of arynes including problems with regioselectivity and the synthesis of N-heterocyclic arynes. Using fundamental principles of Ni chemistry, our group is the first to be able to access previously “inaccessible” 5-membered heterocyclic arynes for the first time since they were hypothesized to exist 120 years ago. We are also the first group to demonstrate catalyst controlled regioselectivity in arynes, where all previous examples operated under substrate control. Another challenge in organic synthesis lies in alkyl–alkyl cross-coupling. This is due to challenges with oxidative addition and off cycle pathways such as beta-hydride elimination. Our group has pioneered the use of Group 3 metal catalysts supported by redox-active ligands to overcome some of these challenges. Using 10 mol% of a Sc, Y, or Lu tris(amido) catalyst, coupling partners that both have beta-hydrogens can be successfully cross-coupled for the first time using early transition metals. These improvements related to organic synthesis can only be accessed using inorganic/organometallic chemistry.

Inorganic Chemistry Student Exit Talk: Yuto Katsuyama (The Kaner Lab)
2024-03-26 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222
Flyer: Yuto Katsuyama Flyer
Title: Next-Generation Battery Electrode Materials Using Earth-Abundant Elements
Abstract: Energy storage devices, especially batteries, are indispensable in modern society, providing power for electronic devices including smartphones and EVs, and storing renewable energies in the electric grid, etc. However, batteries still have a lot of problems, such as their limited energy density, slow charging speed, high cost, short cycle life, etc. In this talk, several important approaches to solve these issues will be discussed. First of all, the effect of 3D micro and macro structure of battery electrodes on the battery performance is discussed. The structure was mainly engineered by using a 3D printer, and the 3D electrodes were applied to sodium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and lithium-metal anode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Then, the synthesis methods of battery materials will be discussed because it greatly affects the cost of the materials. In this talk, two facile synthesis methods of silicon/carbon composites (laser synthesis and re-precipitation synthesis) will be proposed for low-cost, high-performance LIBs. At the end of the talk, the battery working mechanisms will be discussed for sodium-ion batteries and zinc-ion batteries, which are expected to become as important as lithium-ion batteries in the future, by throughout characterization techniques at various charge and discharge states.

The Norma Stoddart Award for Exemplary Citizenship and Excellence in Graduate Research
2024-03-22 13:30 - 16:30 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Dickerson Biochemistry Seminar - John Albeck
2024-03-15 15:30 - 16:30

Jeffrey I. Zink Inorganic Chemistry Seminar Series - Prof. Kwabena Bediako
2024-03-13 16:00 - 17:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Flyer: Prof. Kwabena Bediako Flyer
Title: Superlattice Design of Solids and Interfaces
Abstract: Superlattice structures are a powerful means of tailoring physical and chemical properties of materials. The modification of electronic structures at electrode–electrolyte interfaces is fundamental to efficient electrochemical energy conversion processes, and the intercalation of magnetic ions between van der Waals layers tunes the correlated electronic phenomena in these quantum materials. This talk will describe how azimuthal misalignment of atomically thin layers produces moiré superlattices that manifest a strong twist angle dependence of heterogeneous electrochemical kinetics in the case of twisted bilayer and twisted trilayer graphene electrodes with the greatest enhancement observed near the ‘magic angles’. These effects are driven by the angle-dependent engineering of moiré superlattice flat bands that dictate the electron transfer processes with the solution-phase redox couple. In addition, the talk will discuss how transition metal dichalcogenides intercalated with open-shell transition metals represent a family of materials allowing fine control over the chemical and electronic structure of a magnetic material to tailor the interplay between (anti)ferromagnetic exchange, magnetocrystalline anisotropy, and anisotropic exchange (Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interactions) to bring about exotic magnetic orders in two-dimensional materials or bulk crystals. The design and manipulation of superlattices structures is therefore shown to serve as an unparalleled platform for systematically interrogating and exploiting the dependence of physical and chemical phenomena on electronic structure.

Physical Chemistry Seminar 228: Douglas Rees
2024-03-11 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222
Prof. Doug Rees Flyer
Talk Title: Nitrogenase: Beyond the Resting State
Abstract: The enzyme nitrogenase has the remarkable ability to catalyze the reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia to under physiological conditions. The mechanistic questions related to how nitrogenase overcomes the kinetic stability of the NN triple bond to fix dinitrogen under ambient conditions have intrigued chemists for the past century. We have applied a structure-based approach to examine how nitrogenase uses iron-sulfur metalloclusters and ATP-dependent electron transfer to reduce dinitrogen and other substrates. A puzzling feature of the nitrogenase mechanism has been how to reconcile the relative stability of the FeMo-cofactor with the reactivity towards dinitrogen. Our studies have established that binding of ligands to nitrogenase under turnover conditions can be accompanied by the reversible displacement and rearrangements of sulfurs in the catalytic FeMo-cofactor; these rearrangements may provide clues how the active site is activated during the catalytic cycle. The complementary strengths of X-ray and electron scattering are being used to illuminate the structural foundations of this process.

Dickerson Biochemistry Seminar - James Link
2024-03-08 15:30 - 16:30 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States

Houk-Jung Organic Colloquium 247: Prof. Peter Schultz
2024-03-07 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Physical Chemistry Seminar 228: Alexander Balandin
2024-03-04 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Dickerson Biochemistry Seminar - Gulcin Pekkurnaz
2024-03-01 15:30 - 16:30 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States

Houk-Jung Organic Colloquium 247: Prof. Frank Glorius
2024-02-29 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Chem 218 Student Exit Seminar: Zerina Mehmedović
2024-02-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222
