Achievement

Trainees Shawn Fisher (Brownawell Lab) and Shavonne Hylton (Schoonen Lab) are working together to determine the production of hydroxyl radicals via pyrite slurries in solutions that included several simulated lung fluid mixtures and their components. The amino acid phenylalanine is being used as a biological probe for oxidative stress. Production of the three isomers of tyrosine indicates hydroxyl radical production and this is confirmed with the fluorescent probe APF. Though hindered, there appeared to be production of hydroxyl radical in the simulated lung fluid, though not enough to oxidize phenylalanine to any measurable amounts. However, experiments with a breakdown of the components revealed degrees of competition for the hydroxyl radical produced. This led to a new set of questions regarding not just pH, but buffer component effects. Also, they are using phenylalanine and APF to determine the ability of manganese oxides and salts to produce hydroxyl radicals.