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Qibing Zhou

Assistant professor Organic chemistry (804) 828-3520 qzhou@vcu.edu

http://www.people.vcu.edu/~qzhou/index.html

Education

B.S., Tongji University, Shanghai, P. R. China, 1992
M.S., Indiana State University, Terra Haute, Ind, 1995
Ph.D., University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark, 1999
Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Maryland, College Park, Md, 1999-2002

Research interests

We are investigating the chemical interactions between nucleic acids and small organic molecules as DNA drugs. DNA drugs have significant impact on biological processes including gene regulations, transcriptions and translations. The understanding of the chemical interactions will reveal how drugs bind and/or modify DNA, which may lead to the development of effective gene-therapeutic drugs. Currently, our research focuses on DNA modification by natural product analogs.

Two research projects are being developed in the lab. The first project focuses on the effects of natural polyterpene quinone methides derivatives on DNA. For the second project we will develop a latent DNA alkylating agent that can be activated through target recognitions. Both projects will help students develop independent thinking skills as well as gain knowledge and expertise in organic synthesis, biophysical analysis and molecular biology techniques.

Selected publications

1. Zhou, Q.; Rokita, S. E. A General Strategy for Target-Promoted Alkylation in Biological Systems Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 2003, 26, 15452-15457.
2. Kumar, D.; Veldhuyzen, W. F.; Zhou, Q.; Rokita, S. E. Conjugation of a Hairpin Pyrrole-Imidazole Polyamide to a Quinone Methide for Control of DNA Cross-Linking Bioconjugate Chem. 2004, 15, 915-922.   
3. Zhou, Q.; Pande, P.; Johnson, A. E.; Rokita, S. E. Sequence Specific Delivery of a Quinone Methide Intermediate to the Major Groove of DNA Bioorg. & Med. Chem.2001, 9, 2347-2354.
4. Zhou, Q.; Turnbull, K. D. Quinone Methide Phosphodiester Alkylation under Aqueous Conditions J. Org. Chem. 2001, 66, 7072-7077.
5. Zhou, Q.; Turnbull, K. D. Trapping Phosphodiester-Quinone Methide Adducts through in Situ Lactonization J. Org. Chem.2000, 65, 2022-2029.
6. Zhou, Q.; Turnbull, K. D. Phosphodiester Alkylation with a Quinone Methide J. Org.Chem. 1999, 64, 2847-2851.

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