ORC Seminar Series Presents:

“Protein Electrodynamics & Terahertz Medicine: A New Frontier?” Dr Ogan Gurel, M.D. Samsung Advanced Ins tute of Technology Date: Monday 3rd December 2012 Time: 16:15‐17:30 Venue: Building 53, Room 4025

Abstract:

It is well known that proteins exhibit dynamic behavior with their normal modes specifically vibra ng at terahertz frequencies. These mo ons are essen al to protein func on and because these macromolecules are charged the existence of such vibra ons suggest the possibility of specific interac on with electromagne c radia on in the terahertz band. A me‐domain spectroscopic experiment was performed confirming specific absorp on of terahertz radia on (~0.8THz and 1.3THz) by met‐hemoglobin. This proof‐of‐concept result suggests that these protein spectroscopic signatures can serve as the basis of a novel form of molecular medical imaging; likewise terahertz‐modulated manipula on of such mo ons may underlie new forms of therapy.

Biography:

Dr. Gurel is a Director in the MOT Research Center / CTO Office at the Samsung Advanced Ins tute of Technology (SAIT), and Visi ng Professor at the Samsung Advanced Ins tute for Health Sciences and Technology (SAIHST) of SungKyunKwan University. Previously VP & Medical Director at the healthcare consultancy Sg2 and an Associate at Booz, Allen & Hamilton, he consulted for both large and small clients spanning the healthcare services, health insurance, biopharma and medical device sectors. In addi on to holding an M.D. (Alpha Omega Alpha) from the Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, Dr. Gurel has deep experience in the biomedical sciences holding a B.A. cum laude in Biochemical Sciences from Harvard University where he conducted research in Prof. Mar n Karplus’ lab on DNA structure combining molecular dynamics simula on with NMR (Nuclear Overhauser effect) experimental data. A er Harvard, he served as a Visi ng Researcher at the Ins tut Laue‐Langevin in Grenoble, conduc ng neutron diffrac on‐based analyses (selec ve deutera on) of membrane protein structure in Prof. Guiseppe Zaccai’s group. Dr. Gurel also holds an M.Phil degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics from Columbia University working with Prof. Wayne Hendrickson researching x‐ray crystallographic structural studies of cytokines. Addi onally, he has conducted research in computer science, winning 3rd place in the na onal Wes nghouse (now Intel) Science Talent Search for work on microprocessor so ware development systems, followed by robot programming systems work at the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center (with Dr. Russell Taylor, now at Johns Hopkins) and at Harvard’s Aiken Computa on Laboratory (with the late Prof. Thomas E. Cheatham). Dr. Gurel has taught a number of subjects ‐ cellular and molecular biology, neuroanatomy, bioinforma cs and mathema cal modeling ‐ at several universi es including the Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, Roosevelt University, and the Harvard Medical School.

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