Brant Kedrowski’s UW Oshkosh Pages

 

Links to My Pages

Research

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UW Oshkosh
Chem Clubhttp://www.uwosh.edu/chemclub/

Recent publications


“An Improved Protocol for the Preparation of (R)-2-Methylcysteine and its Use in a Solution Phase Synthesis of a Glutathione Analogue.” Masterson, D. S.; Kedrowski, B. L.; Blair, A. Synlett, 2011, 19, 2941-2943.

“A Concise Synthesis of (±)-Cacalol” Kedrowski, B. L.; Hoppe, R., J. Org. Chem. 2008, 73, 5177-5179.

“GC-MS Analysis of Fatty Acids From Ancient Hearth Residues at the Swan Point Archaeological Site”  Kedrowski, B. L.; Crass, B. A.; Behm, J. A.;  Luetke, J. C.; Nichol, A. L.; Moreck, A. M.; Holmes, C. E. Archaeometry, 2009, 51, 110-122.

"Synthesis of Orthogonally Protected (R)- and (S)-2-Methylcysteine via an Enzymatic Desymmetrization and Curtius Rearrangement" Kedrowski, B. L. J. Org. Chem.  2003, 68, 5403-5406.

Organic Synthesis

        Much of my research involves exploring ways to improve efficiency in the construction of organic molecules.  Often times this comes up in the context of natural product synthesis.  Examples include the construction of substituted tetralins in the synthesis of cacalol,  the stereospecific construction of 2-methylcysteines for use in the synthesis of natural and unnatural products, and the preparation of benzofurans in the synthesis of radermachol.   These projects have received support from the Petroleum Research Fund, the UW Oshkosh Faculty Development Program, WiSys Technology Foundation, the Merck-AAAS Undergraduate Science Research Program and the UW Oshkosh Student/Faculty Collaborative Research Program

Isolation and Characterization of Antiviral Agents in Cranberries

       It was recently discovered by virologist Teri Shors from the Department of Biology and Microbiology that vaccinia virus is inactivated by dilutions of commercial cranberry juice.  This type of activity against a pox type virus is novel, and has potential applications in the treatment of other human diseases including smallpox.  We are currently collaborating on a project to isolate, purify and characterize the compounds responsible for this activity.  The project has received funding from the Merck-AAAS Undergraduate Science Research Program and the UW Oshkosh Faculty Development Program. 

Archeological Lipid Residue Analysis

          Another research interest involves using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry GC/MS to analyze lipid residues in archaeological hearth sites.  This project is a collaboration between myself and Drs. Jeffery Behm and Barbara Crass from the Department of Anthropology and Religious Studies at UW Oshkosh, and Dr. Charles Holmes from the University of Alaska Anchorage.    Their study of the Swan Point archaeological site in central Alaska uncovered ancient hearths containing lipid residues dating to the late Pleistocene period.  Using GC/MS we are able to establish lipid fingerprints of the samples that shed light on the source of these fats and increase our understanding of the lives of these early northern peoples.