Andrew Frederick Mehl

 

 

 

ADDRESS:                Knox College                       HOME:                325 Division St.

                                        Dept of Chemistry                                                 Galesburg, IL  61401

                    Box K-7                                                                      (309) 341-0251

                    Galesburg, IL  61401

                    (309) 341-7270

                    Fax (309) 341-7718

                    E-mail Address:  amehl@knox.edu

                    Home page: http//faculty.knox.edu/amehl

 

EDUCATION:                B.A.                1985                        Chemistry and Biology

                                                                                Magna Cum Laude

                                                                                McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College)

                                                                                Westminster, MD  21157

 

                                Ph.D.                1990                        Biochemistry

                                                                                University of Maryland

                                                                                College Park, MD  20742

 

APPOINTMENTS:

               

                1999 – Present, Associate Professor of Chemistry at Knox College

 

                1994 – 1998, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Knox College

 

                1993 – 94, Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Knox College

 

1990 – 93, Postdoctoral Fellow at The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Biochemistry

 

HONORS and AWARDS:

 

                Dimitri V. D’Arbeloff Fellow (Biological Sciences J.H.U. 1990-91)

                Phi Beta Kappa (Elected in 1985)

                Beta Beta Beta (Biology Honor Society, Elected in 1985)

                Sigma Xi Award from McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College) in 1985

McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College) recipient of the ACS Maryland  Section Student Award for 1985

 

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:

 

                Member of the Council on Undergraduate Research (1994 – present)

                Member of the American Chemical Society (1989 – present)

                Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (1991 – present)

                Member of the Illinois State Academy of Science (1994 – present)

                Member of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (1996 – present)

                Member of the Protein Society (1998 – present)

 

 

 

 

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

                1993 – present, Associate Professor, Knox College, Dept. Of Chemistry

            Current teaching responsibilities:

    Fall term:     General Chemistry 101or Freshman Preceptorial

                                One upper level elective for the Biochemistry major

                                (Proteins and Enzymes: BCHM 334 or

                                Biological spectroscopy:  BCHM 333)

    Winter term:      General Chemistry 102 and one laboratory section or

                                Biochemistry II:  Metabolism (BCHM 302)

    Spring term:      Two required courses for the Biochemistry Major-

                                Methods in Biochemistry (BCHM 310) or

                                Biochemistry I:  Structure and Function (BCHM 301) and

                                Physical Biochemistry (BCHM 321)

 

                1985 – 86, Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Maryland

Supervised introductory chemistry and organic chemistry laboratory and recitation sections.

 

Research Experience:

          Current research interest:  investigation of how the structure of the GrpE Heat Shock Protein relates to its function of assisting the DnaK molecular chaperone in its various activities.  Study general problems of protein folding, oligomerization, and stability using the GrpE protein as a model system.

          Postdoctoral research:  investigation of the mechanism of action of DnaK and GrpE, two heat shock proteins found in E. coli, as related to their role in bacteriophage lambda DNA replicatioin.

          Graduate research:  investigation of the mechanims and energetics of the reaction catalyzed by Phosphate Pyruvate Dikinase from B. symbiosus.

          Undergraduate research:  investigation of the mechanism of decomposition of a class of compounds called alkyltriazenes. 

 

RESEARCH FUNDING:

 

National Institutes of Health AREA grant:  “Studying GrpE: Protein Function, Stability, and Folding.”  $100,000 (direct costs), (06/01/02- 05/31/05)

NSF – Multi-User Biological Equipment and Instrumentation Resources grant:

      “Radioisotopic and Light Imaging Instrumentation:  Maximizing Faculty-Student Research Time and Capabilities.”  $138,674 (One of three Co-PIs), (06/01/99-06/01/01)

National Institutes of Health AREA grant:  “Structure-Function Analysis of the GrpE

      Heat Shock Protein.”  $74,987 (direct costs), (6/97 – 5/2001)

Faculty Initiative Grant from Knox College $4,000 (January 1996)

Howard Hughes Medical Institute Faculty Development Award $5,500 (summer 1995)

Pew Midstates Science and Mathematics Consortium-Short-Term Consultation Award

      High Field NMR spectra at Washington University.  $370 (11/30/95)

 

SPECIFIC RESEARCH TECHNIQUES:

 

Experience with modern molecular biology procedures for cloning genes, such as PCR techniques and the use of various plasmid systems for over-expression of proteins.

Familiar with techniques to study protein-protein interactions, such as chemical crosslinking, chemical modification, and spectroscopic methods.

Familiar with rapid quench instruments for studying enzyme purification, and enzymatic assay.

      Experience in using UV-Vis spectroscopy in studying kinetics of chemical and enzymatic reactions.

Experience with the maintenance and upkeep of high resolution NMR spectrometers (400, 200, and 90 MHz instruments).

 

 PUBLICATIONS:

 

“Insights into Dimerization and Four-Helix Bundle Formation Found by Dissection of the Dimer Interface of the GrpE Protein from E. coli. Andrew F. Mehl, Luke D. Heskett, Sumesh S. Jain, and Borries Demeler. (2003) Protein Sci. 12, 1205.

 

“A GrpE Mutant Containing the NH2-Terminal “Tail” Region is able to Displace bound Polypeptide Substrate from DnaK”, Andrew F. Mehl, Luke D. Heskett, and Kistina M. Neal. (2001) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 282, 562.

 

“Examining the rate of Renaturation for Genomic DNA Isolated from E.coli: An Integrated Physical Biochemistry Laboratory”, Nahyan Fancy and Andrew F. Mehl.  (1999) J. Chem. Ed. 76, 646.

 

“A Kinetic Mechanism for Targeting Hsp70 Proteins to Polypeptide Substrates Is Suggested by an Enormous, DnaJ-mediated Stimulation of ATP Hydrolysis by DnaK”, Rick Russell, A. Wali Karzai, Andrew F. Mehl, and Roger McMacken. (1999) Biochemistry, 38, 4165.

 

“The Energetics of Pyruvate Phosphate Dikinase Catalysis”, Andrew F. Mehl, yuan Xu and D. Dunaway-Mariano.  (1994) Biochemistry  33, 1093.

 

“Characterization of the Covalent Enzyme Intermediates Formed During Phsophate Pyruvate Dikinase Catalysis”, Sara H. Thrall, Andrew F. Mehl, Lawrence J. Carroll, and D. Dunaway-Mariano.  (1993) Biochemistry 32, 1803.

 

“The Mode of Triple Phosphoryl Group Transfer in Pyruvate Phosphate Dikinase Catalysis.  Demonstration of the Intermediacy of Pyrophosphorylated and Phosphorylated Enzyme Species”, Lawrence J. Carroll, Andrew F. Mehl, and D. Dunaway-Mariano.  (1989) JACS 111, 5965.

 

“1,3-dialkyltriazene;  Tautomeric Equilibria and Rates and Products of Decomposition”, Richard H. Smith, Jr., Brian D. Wladkowski, Andrew F. Mehl, Michael J. Cleveland, Elizabeth A. Rudrow, Gwendolyn N. Chmurmy, and Christopher J. Michejda.  (1989( J. Of Org. Chem.  53, 1487.

 

“Novel Cross-linking Alkylating Agents 1-(2-Chloroethyl)-3-acyltriazenes”, Richard H. Smith, Jr., Andrew F. Mehl, Donald L. Shantz, Jr., Gwendolyn N. Chmurmy, and Christopher J. Michejda.  (1988) J. Of Org. Chem.  53, 1487.

 

“1,3-Dimethyl-3-acyltriazenes:  Synthesis and chemistry of a Novel Class of Biological Methylating Agents”, Richard H. Smith, Jr., Andrew F. Mehl, Anne Hicks, Cheryl L. Denlinger, Lisa Kratz, A. Wesley Andrews, and Christopher J. Michejda, (1986) J. Of Org. Chem.  51, 3751.

 

“Decomposition of 1,3-dialkyltriazenes in Aqueous Buffers:  Kinetic and Mechanistic Studies”, Richard H. Smith, Jr., Cheryl L. Denlinger, Robert Kupper, Andrew F. Mehl, and Christopher J. Michejda, (1986) JACS  108, 1326.

 

ORAL PRESENTATIONS:

 

Session title “E.coli DnaK, DnaJ, and GrpE Heat Shock Proteins”, (1992) Amer. Soc. For Biochem. And Molecular . Biol. (Fall Symposia – Molecular Chaperones:  Functions in Protein Folding and Cellular Metabolism).

 

 ABSTRACTS:

 

“Investigation into the a-helical domain of the GrpE Heat Shock Protein from E. coli.”, L. Heskett, K. Neal, T. Watanabe, C. Owens, and A. F. Mehl (2000), 14th Symposium of the Protein Society.

 

“Structural Analysis of the E.coli GrpE Heat Shock Protein Through Edletion Mutation Analysis and X-Ray Crystallography”, Christopher M. Owens, Andrew F. Mehl, roger McMacken, Brad Poland, and richard Honzatko, (1996), Molecular Chaperones and the Heat Shock Response:  Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Symposia.

 

“Functional Analysis of the 44 kDa  N terminal Domain of DnaK Heat Shock Protein”, Andrew F. Mehl and Roger McMacken, (1992), Amer. Soc. For Biochem. And Molecular Biol. (Fall Symposia – Molecular Chaperones:  Functions in Protein Folding and Cellular Metabolism).

 

“The Effect of GrpE Heat Shock Protein On The ATPase Activity of DnaK and Its Catalytic Function in Bacteriophate  DNA Replication”, Andrew F. Mehl and Roger McMacken, (1992) Keystone Symposia– Molecular Mechanisms in DNA Replication and Recombination.

 

“Chemical Mechanism of Pyruvate Phosphate Dikinase”, L. Carroll, A. Mehl, D. Pocalyko, H-C. Wang, and D. Dunaway-Mariano, (1998)  Fed. Amer. Soc. For Exp. Biol.

 

“Investigation of the Catalytic Mechanism of Pyruvate Phosphate Dikinase”, H-C. Wang, A. Mehl, D. Pocalyko, and D. Dunaway-Mariano (1987) Amer. Soc. Of Biol. Chem.

 

STUDENT PRESENTATIONS:

 

Sumesh Jain, Fall 2002 (PEW Midstates Science and Mathematics Consortium)

            “Structural and Thermodynamic Charaterization of a NH2-Terminal Deletion Mutant of the GrpE Heat Shock Protein from E. coli.”

 

Sara Weber, Fall 2002 (PEW Midstates Science and Mathematics Consortium)

                “Using Site-Directed Mutagenesis to investigate the Role of Salf Bridges in the GrpE Protein.”

 

Sumesh Jain, Fall 2001 (PEW Midstates Science and Mathematics Consortium)

            “Investigation of the Structure of a GrpE Deletion Mutant that is Missing 85 Amino Acids from the COOH-terminal End.”

 

Graziella Mendonsa, Fall 2001 (PEW Midstates Science and Mathematics Consortium)

                “Probing the Role of Salt Bridges in the Structure of the GrpE Protein from E. coli.”

 

                Sabir Taj, Sping 2001  (Illinois State Academy of Science)

                Cloning of the b-sheet domain of the GrpE heat shock protein from E. coli for biochemical analysis.”

 

                Luke Heskett, Spring 2000 (Illinois State Academy of Science)

                “Characterization of the amino terminal a-helical domain of the GrpE heat shock protein via deletion mutation analysis.”

 

                Kristina Neal, Sprig 1999 (Illinois State Academy of Science)

                                “A Study into the Dimerization of the GrpE Heat Shock Protein via Deletion Mutation Analysis.”

 

                Burke Wilke, Spring 1999 (Illinois State Academy of Science)

                                “Investigation into the Binding between the GrpE and DnaK Heat Shock Proteins.”

 

                Ana Miletic, Spring 1999 (Illinois State Academy of Science)

                “Recloning, Overexpression and Biochemical Characterization  of the Catalytic Domain of Human Myocardial cGMP-inhibited cAMP Phosphodieterase”

 

Chris Owens, Fall 1996 (Illinois State Academy of Science)

              “Structural Characterizationof a 14Kd Protein Fragment of the E.coli Heat Shock Protein GrpE.”

 

Jim Horn, Spring 1996 (American Chemical Society, regional Midwest meeting)

              “Examination of Phosphate Pyruvate Dikinase’s (PIX).”

 

Chris Owens, Fall 1995 (PEW Midstates Science and Mathematics Consortium)

              “Structural Analysis of the E.coli Heat Shock Protein GrpE Through Deletion Mutation Analysis.”

 

Bevin Phillip, Fall 1994 (PEW Midstates Science and Mathematics Consortium)

“Study of GrpE Heat Shock Protein Structure through Fragment Analysis and Cross-Linking Reactions.”

 

OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:

 

 

Reviewed a grant application for PRF (Petroleum Research Foundation, Oct, 2002)

Attended the 2nd Midwest Stress Response and Chaperone Meeting held at the University of Chicago (1/18/97).

Reviewed a grant application for PRF (Petroleum Research Foundation, August, 1996)

Attended the GLCA Course Design and Teaching Workshop at Kenyon College, June 5-10, 1994

 

 

 

INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE:

 

Currently serving on the Faculty Personnel Committee (four year appointment)       

              Serving on the Faculty Athletics Committee (2001-2002)

Served on a Curriculum Task Force for studying General Education Requirements (2000-01)

Faculty Representative on the Student Honor Board (two year appointment, 1998-99 and 1999-00)

              Faculty Representative to the Conduct Council (one year, 1998-99)

Filled in for the Pre-Medical Advisor (Tom Clayton at a Conference for pre-medical students and advisors which was hosted by the medical schools of Illinois (10/11/97)

              Admissions Committee (1996-97 and d1997-98)

              Students Affairs Committee (1994-95)

              Phi Beta Kappa President (two year appointment, 1997-98 and 1998-99)

              Phi Beta Kappa Secretary (two year appointment, 1995-96 and 1996-97)

              Served on the Residential Expansion Advisory Committee (Spring 1995)

Attended the National Conference on Undergraduate Research at Union College in Schenectady, New York on April 20-22, 1995

Attended the McNair Scholars Conference at Penn State, August 5-7, 1994 (Filling in for the McNair Director at the time:  Deborah Granat)