Shawn Mcglynn

Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry MSU

NASA Astrobiology Institute

Air Force Office of Scientific
Research

Office of Naval Research

US Department of Energy

National Institutes of Health

Thermal Biology Institute

Center for Bio-inspired Nano
materials

P.O. Box 173400

Bozeman, MT 59717

Ph: 406 994 7211

Fax: 406 994 7212

john.peters@chemistry.montana.edu

Bridger Bowl Snow Report

Big Sky Snow Report

Moonlight Basin Snow Report

Shawn Mcglynn

Graduate Student

simplyshawn@gmail.com

Current Research

"When is the moment that you are not in wonder, not in awe of the world around you?"

I am studying the biogenesis of the active site "H-cluster" of the [Fe-Fe] hydrogenases, by which we hope to discern the mechanisms and chemical rational behind the synthesis of this most unique enzymatic co-factor. The study of hydrogenase as a complex metalloenzyme results in a broader understanding of enzyme catalysis and chemical reactivity in general. Knowledge procured in the study of highly evolved enzymes will help in understanding how highly evolved enzymes came into being, as well as providing contrast to non-biological reactions and their properties, thus resulting in a sort of chemical delineation between the biotic and abiotic. Through this type of contrast, it is possible to consider the chemical determinants of life, and by extension bridge the ideas of the structure and form of living systems in an Aristotelian sense.

Education

2005

B.S. in Chemistry, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman MT.

Research Experience

2005

Summer 2005

Lab Technician, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman MT.
Dr John Peters' Lab

Investigation of the biosynthesis of hydrogenase and roles of the three accessory proteins from Clostridium acetobutylicum taking part in the assembly of the active site of hydrogenase

DAAD Undergraduate Scholar, Institute of Chemical Technology, University Campus Vaihingen, Pfaffenwaldring 55 Stuttgart, Germany.
Prof. J. Weitkamp's Lab

In the summer of 2005 work with the Institute and the group of was conducted investigating the use of gas expanded liquids as a solvent media for performing oxidations of alcohols using carbon supported platinum. Of specific concern was the oxidation of 1-Pentanol to the two oxidation products, valeraldehyde and valeric acid. In varying solvent amounts and pressure, product distribution was investigated.

Publications

McGlynn SE, Ruebush SS, Naumov A, et al. In vitro activation of [FeFe] hydrogenase: new insights into hydrogenase maturation. J Biol Inorg Chem 2007; 12: 443-7.