Introduction
Welcome and thanks for visiting my Middlebury College Web Page! As a relatively new faculty member at Middlebury, I am tremendously excited with the opportunity to teach and perform research in the wonderful environment created by this institution. I look forward to the interaction with Middlebury College students and I hope that all students – present, past and future – will feel comfortable to contact me at x 3496 or rsandwic@middlebury.edu or better yet, to come visit me at my office of Room 451 of Bicentennial Hall.
Please feel free to contact me concerning anything regarding this web site.
Roger Sandwick
Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Home Address
Box 231
Westport, NY 12993 (518) 962-8466
Middlebury Address
Dept. of Chemistry
Room 452, Bicentennial Hall
Middlebury, VT 05753
(802) 443-3496
Research Interests
My research interest over the past ten years has been concerned with un-catalyzed reactions of phosphate biomolecules. Two recent publications (see CV) describes my research group's efforts in characterizing the role of magnesium and nitrogen bases (specifically imidazole) on the degradation of 5-phosphoribosyl-a-pyrophosphate (PRPP). 31P NMR was used to monitor the degradation process.
My recent efforts have focussed on the molecule 5-phosphoribosamine (PRA). PRA is made in cells from PRPP via the enzyme glutamine phosphoribosylpyrophosphate amidotransferase (GPATase) and is then subsequently used by glycinamide ribonucleotide (GAR) synthetase to make GAR. GAR is then subsequently used in the purine synthesis pathway to ultimately manufacture AMP and GMP.
An interesting aspect of PRA is that it is relatively unstable at physiological conditions. Its half-life at pH = 7.5 is either 38 sec or 13 sec, depending on literature source you want. This short half life brings up the question of how newly synthesized PRA gets transported to the next enzyme in the sequence (i.e. GAR synthetase) at a rate that would correspondingly avoid the high rate of PRA degradation. A proposal has been made that the PRA is channeled from the active site of GPATase to the active site of GAR synthesis in a direct transfer mechanism (i.e. a complex if formed between the two enzymes), however no evidence for an affinity of these enzymes for one another has ever been shown. Our research wishes to determine if a direct transfer mechanism occurs and, if so, how exactly this transfer occurs.
A second research interest regards a chemical transformation termed the Maillard reaction. This reaction, named after the French chemist who discovered it in the early 1900’s, involves the initial linking of sugars to amines followed by a series of subsequent reactions which lead to a complex set of products. The Maillard reaction has received a great deal of interest over the years as the reaction that produces the brown colors during cooking. For example, the brown colors generated on a loaf of bread or on crackers during the baking process and the browning of meats during roasting are Maillard reaction products. These and other Maillard products generate important aromas and flavors that are of great interest to the food industry. Not all of these Maillard products are beneficial, however. Some Maillard products have been shown to be toxic and/or mutagenic. For example, a recent finding has demonstrated the production of the Maillard product acrylamide, a neurotoxin, during the baking or frying of potatoes and some other foods.
A type of Maillard reaction also occurs in the human body. Since cells contain sugars (like glucose) and amines (like amino acids in proteins), the potential for the reaction is present. However, as the reaction proceeds at relatively slow rates at physiological temperatures (as opposed to baking temperatures), the Maillard products are typically not in high concentration since they are effectively eliminated from the body at reasonable rates. In certain situations, however, the reaction does occur. For example, in uncontrolled diabetes, the high glucose levels in the blood encourage fast reaction rates with the amines of proteins and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are generated. The most well-known of these products is hemoglobin A1C, a glycated hemoglobin which is today used as a marker for the disease. Other diseases/conditions suspected of generating AGEs include Alzheimer’s disease and the aging process.
Our laboratory is interested in the Maillard reactions of cellular amines and proteins with ribose 5-phosphate (R5P). We have determined that this molecule reacts with amino acids at rates hundreds of times faster than glucose. We have also found that R5P displays some interesting protein cross-linking behavior. The implications of these reactions for the cell are currently unknown. Although R5P reacts faster, it is of lower concentration relatively to other sugars like glucose. In our research, we are attempting to characterize the relative rates of reactions, the products that are formed, and the types of protein groups involved in the cross-linking reaction. We are also interested in whether any of the R5P-derived Maillard products are toxic or mutagenic.
Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Roger Sandwick
Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Middlebury College
Education:
B.S. Glass Science Alfred University 1976
Ph.D. Chemistry Lehigh University 1986
Professional Positions:
Associate Professor, Middlebury College 2003 to present
Visiting Assistant Professor, Middlebury College 2002 - 2003
Professor of Chemistry, SUNY Plattsburgh 2001 - 2003
Chairperson, Dept. of Chemistry 1997 - 2001
Associate Professor of Chemistry, SUNY Plattsburgh 1992 - 2001
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, SUNY Plattsburgh 1986 - 1992
Instructor in Chemistry, Albright College, Reading, PA (part-time) 1985 - 1986
Instructor in Chemistry, Allentown College, Center Valley, PA (part-time) 1985
Project Engineer, Assistant Manager of Laser Glass Production Schott Optical Glass, Inc. Duryea, PA 1976 - 1981
Areas of Research Interest and Specialization:
31P NMR detection of biological compounds including PRPP and 2,3 BPG; the identification of cellular degradative phosphatases and pyrophosphatases
Fellowships, Grants, and Awards
American Chemical Society-Petroleum Research Fund “A Characterization of the Kinetics and Mechanisms of the Reaction of Ribose 5-Phosphate and Amino Acids” ($50,000) 09/1/06 – 8/31/09
NIH-NCRR-INBRE VGN Program “The Maillard Reaction between Ribose 5-Phosphate and Cellular Amines“ ($71,666) 06/01/05 – 05/01/06
NIH-NCRR-BRIN VGN Program “The Maillard and Amadori Reactions of Ribose 5-Phosphate“ ($10,000) 5/15/04 – 6/30/04
NIH-NCRR-BRIN VGN Program “A Stability Study of Phosphoribosamine“ ($7,800) 5/15/04 – 6/30/04
Departmental Technology Initiatives Project, "Improvement of Computerized Data Analysis in Introductory Chemistry Laboratories", Director, ($59,257) 2001 - 2002
The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, "Chemistry Outreach to a Rural Area", PI, ($30,000) 2001 - 2002
Dwight D. Eisenhower Title IIA Higher Education Grant, "Northern New York K-6 Inquiry-Based Math/Science/Technology Framework Initiative" Project Director (with J. Haubner), ($36,670)1998 - 1999
Redcay Teaching Enhancement Award "Development of Thematic Approach For Teaching a Science Course to Non-Science Majors" with Dr. Dan Vogt, ($5000)1998 - 1999
Dwight D. Eisenhower Title IIA Higher Education Grant, "Collaborative Science Education for the North Country (CSENC)", Co-Director, ($34,000) 1998 - 1999
Dwight D. Eisenhower Title IIA Higher Education Grant, "Northern New York K-6 Inquiry-Based Math/Science/Technology Framework Initiative" Project Director (with J. Haubner), ($36,670)1997 - 1998
Dwight D. Eisenhower Title IIA Higher Education Grant, "Collaborative Science Education for the North Country (CSENC)", Co-Director, ($40,000)1997 - 1998
Phi Kappa Phi Distinguished Member Award 1998
Discovery Grant "On-Line Textbook for SCI 101", PSU Technology Funds, ($800)1998
Dwight D. Eisenhower Title IIA Higher Education Grant, "Northern New York K-6 Inquiry-Based Math/Science/Technology Framework Initiative" Project Director (with J. Haubner), ($36,670)1996 - 1997
Dwight D. Eisenhower Title IIA Higher Education Grant, "Collaborative Science Education for the North Country (CSENC)", Co-Director, ($40,000)1996 - 1997
Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching 1996
Dwight D. Eisenhower Title IIA Higher Education Grant, "Hands-On Environmental Science Program", Project Director, ($35,000)1995 - 1996
Dwight D. Eisenhower Title IIA Higher Education Grant, "Collaborative Science Education for the North Country (CSENC)", Co-Director, ($41,000)1995 - 1996
Dwight D. Eisenhower Title IIA Higher Education Grant, "Collaborative Science Education for the North Country (CSENC)", Co-Director, ($41,958)1994 - 1995
Dwight D. Eisenhower Title IIA Higher Education Grant, "Collaborative Science Education for the North Country (CSENC)", Co-Director, ($42,000) 1993 - 1994
National Science Foundation, Improvement of Laboratory Instruction, "Improvement of Biochemistry Laboratories at SUNY Plattsburgh" Principle Investigator, ($17,100)1992 - 1994
Dwight D. Eisenhower Title IIA Higher Education Grant, "Collaborative Science Education for the North Country (CSENC)", Co-Director, ($36,500) 1992 - 1993
National Science Foundation Grant, "Young Scholars Program", Co-Director ($50,264),1989 - 1991
SUNY-GRI SRAA, Co-Investigator, ($20,000) 1989 - 1991
In-House Research Mini-Grant, PSU ($1000) 1987 - 1988
In-House Research Mini-Grant, PSU ($1000) 1986 - 1987
NYS-UUP PDQWL Research Award ($750) 1986 - 1987
New Faculty Research Program Summer Stipend for Student Award ($1000) 1986 - 1987
Horner Fellowship, Lehigh University ($4850) 1985 - 1986
Student Chemistry Fellowship, Lehigh University ($6700) 1984 - 1985
Books Published:
Hackert, M.L. and Sandwick, R.K. Study Guide and Solutions Manual for Chemistry and Life, An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs., NJ (in press)
Hackert, M.L. and Sandwick, R.K. Study Guide and Solutions Manual for Chemistry and Life, An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs., NJ 1997
Baum, S.J. and Sandwick, R.K. Laboratory Exercises in Organic and Biological Chemistry, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 1994
Hackert, M.L. and Sandwick, R.K. Study Guide and Solutions Manual for Chemistry and Life, An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry, Macmillian Publishing Co., NY 1993
Hackert, M.L. and Sandwick, R.K. Study Guide and Solutions Manual for Introduction to Organic, and Biological Chemistry, Macmillian Publishing Co., NY 1993
Publications (* undergraduate researchers):
Choi, S.; Vastag, L.; Larrabee, Y. C.;* Personick, M. L.;* Schaberg, K. B.;* Fowler, B. J.;* Sandwick, R. K.; Rawji, G. "The Importance of Pt(II) Catalyzed Pt(IV) Substitution for the Oxidation of Guanosine Derivatives by Pt(IV) Complexes" Inorg. Chem., 2008, 47, 1352-1360.
Sandwick, R.K., Johanson, M., Breuer, E. (2005) in The Maillard Reaction: Chemistry at the Interface of Nutrition, Aging, and Disease, Baynes, J., Monnier, V.M., Ames, J.M., and Thorpe, S.R. (eds), Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, New York, 1043, 85 - 96
Meola,M, Yamen,B., Weaver,K., and Sandwick,RK. (2003) "The Catalytic Effect of Mg2+ and Imidazole on the Decomposition of 5-Phosphoribosyl-a-1-pyrophosphate in Aqueous Solution" (in press)
Dennis, A., Puskas, M., Stasaitis, S., and Sandwick, R.K. (2000) "The Formation of a 1-5 Phosphodiester Linkage in the Spontaneous Breakdown of 5-Phosphoribosyl-a-1-Pyrophosphate", J. Inorg. Biochem., 81, 73 - 80
Crump, J. and Sandwick, R. (1994) "A Simple Microwell Colorimeter for Use in an Introductory Chemistry Lab", J. Chem. Ed. 71, A199 - A200
Sandwick, R.K. and Baum, S.J. (1992) "Drug Course for Allied Health Students", Proceedings of the Symposium on Chemistry for Health Professionals, Washington, D.C.
Postek, K.M., LaDue, T., Nelson, C. and Sandwick, R.K. (1992) "Spectrophotometric Ribonuclease Assays Using Dinucleoside Monophosphate Substrates", Anal. Biochem., 203, 47 - 52
Mammano, N. and Sandwick, R.K. (1989) "Applications of a Spreadsheet to Advanced Chemistry Laboratory", Proceedings of the 1989 COA Conference
Sandwick, R.K. and Schray, K.J. (1988) "Conformational States of Enzymes Bound to Surfaces", J. Colloid and Interface Sci., 121, 1 - 12
Sandwick, R.K. and Schray, K.J. (1987) "The Inactivation of Enzymes upon Interaction with a Hydrophobic Latex Surface", J. Colloid and Interface Sci., 115, 130 - 138
Sandwick, R.K. and Schray, K.J. (1985) "Protein Quantitation of as Low as 10 ug/mL Concentration by Competitive Binding to Polystyrene Latexes", Anal. Biochem. 174, 210 - 216
Sandwick, R.K., Scheller, R.J. and Mader, K.H. (1979) "Production of high homogeneous fluorophosphate laser glass", Proceedings of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, 171, 161 - 164
Significant Presentations (regional and national):
Sandwick, R. and Vogt, F.D. "A Thematic Approach for Instruction of an Undergraduate Science Course to Non-Science Majors" 1999 Sigma Xi Forum on Reshaping Undergraduate Science and Engineering Education: Tools for Better Learning, Minneapolis, MN, Nov, 1999
Puskas, M. and Sandwick, R.K. "The Spontaneous Degradation of 5-Phosphoribosyl-?-1-Pyrophosphate in the Absence and Presence of Mg2+" Northeast Regional Meeting, American Chemical Society, Saratoga Springs, NY, June, 1997
Puskas, M. and Sandwick, R.K. "An Undergraduate Integrated Laboratory Experience in NMR Analysis of Structural Transitions: A Study of D-Glucose in Aqueous Solution", ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, April, 1996
Courses
CHEM 0103 - General Chemistry I
CHEM 0322 - Biochemistry of Macromolecules
CHEM 0400 - Seminar in Chemical Research
CHEM 0425 - Biochemistry of Metabolism