Kinetics of bioorthogonal reactions
Jen Heemstra, Emory University
Bioorthogonal reactions such as strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) and inverse electron demand Diels–Alder (IEDDA) are widely used for labeling of biomolecules, which in turn enables numerous applications in basic science and biotechnology. The key characteristic of these reactions is the ability of the functional groups involved to react with each other while remaining inert to the other functional groups found in nature. Despite the wide use of these chemistries, relatively few studies have evaluated the effect of reaction conditions on the kinetics of the reaction, and it would be of value to the scientific community to know how factors such as buffer identity, pH, ionic strength, and temperature impact reaction rate. In this CURE, students synthesize reagents or biomolecules and utilize UV spectrophotometry to measure the reaction rate under varying conditions. Students communicate their results in a final report written in the format of a peer-reviewed publication, and this CURE has yielded peer-reviewed research publications to share the data with the scientific community.