■ HANS AERNI

Image courtesy of Hans Aerni.

Current position: Yale University, Department of Cellular &

Molecular Physiology, Systems Biology Institute postdoctoral

researcher with Dr. Jesse Rinehart (since July 2011)Education: Ph.D. in Chemistry with Dr. Richard M. Caprioli,

Vanderbilt UniversityNonscientific interests: Trail running, biking, reading,

photographyMy research focuses on the development and application of

mass spectrometry techniques to unravel the complexity of

biological systems. Currently I am working on the design,

characterization and application of new orthogonal translation

systems for site-specific incorporation of nonstandard amino

acids (NSAA) such as phosphoserine (Sep) into recombinant

proteins. Successful incorporation of NSAA critically depends

on the availability of the NSAA in the cell during protein

synthesis. In the current study we developed a quantitative

mass spectrometry assay that enabled the detection of

the phosphoamino acids Sep, phosphothreonine (pThr),

and phosphotyrosine (pTyr) in E. coli. Using a combination

of strain engineering and optimized growth conditions,

Sep, pThr, and pTyr could be successfully detected in

E. coli extracts. Importantly, we discovered conditions that

led to dramatically elevated Sep concentrations in the cell

which resulted in increased phosphoprotein production.

The presence of pThr and pTyr in E. coli hints at the

intriguing possibility to develop orthogonal translation

systems for the site-specific incorporation of these amino

acids into proteins. (Read Aerni’s article, DOI: 10.1021/

cb5000532)

■ AARON P. ESSER-KAHN

Image courtesy of Lalisa Stutts.

Current position: Assistant Professor, University of California,Irvine, Department of ChemistryEducation:California Institute of Technology, B.S., Chemistry;

University of California, Berkeley, Ph.D.; University of Illinoisat Urbana Champagne, postdoctoral researcher, Advisor:Prof. Jeffrey MooreNonscientific interests: Cooking, books, musicProf. Esser-Kahn was born and raised in Bloomfield Hills, MI.

As an undergraduate, he attended Caltech, and received a B.S. inChemistry, moving to UC Berkeley for a Ph.D. in Chemistry.He was a postdoctoral researcher at UIUC working on self-healingmaterials with Prof. JeffreyMoore.He began his independentcareer at UCI in 2011. His group works on developingnew methods and materials focused on carbon capture andrelease and bottom-up vaccine design. (Read Esser-Kahn’sarticle, DOI: 10.1021/cb500079s)

■ ROCK MANCINI

Image courtesy of Amy E. Nielsen.

Current position: Postdoctoral scholar in Aaron Esser-Kahn’slaboratory at the University of California, Irvine in theDepartment of Chemistry

Published: May 16, 2014

Introducing Our Authors

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© 2014 American Chemical Society 1063 dx.doi.org/10.1021/cb500332m | ACS Chem. Biol. 2014, 9, 1063−1065

Education: University of Pittsburgh, B.S. in PolymerChemistry, 2007, Advisor: Prof. Toby Chapman; University ofCalifornia, Los Angeles, Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, 2012,Advisor: Prof. Heather MaynardNonscientific interests: Rowing, running, beer brewing, bunniesMy research interests span a wide range of areas including organic

polymer chemistry, biomacromolecules, and materials chemistry.For my Ph.D. work I completed a number of projects including thesynthesis of the first trehalose side-chain polymers prepared viaradical polymerization. This class of polymer prevents degradationof biomolecules due to stressors such as heat, freeze−thaw cycling,and lyophilization. In Aaron Esser-Kahn’s laboratory I am designingmolecular cues to direct immune cells. We demonstrated the role ofinter-immunostimulant spatial effects on immune cell stimulation, afinding that has broad implications for the adjuvants in vaccines. Inthe future, I am interested in using stimuli-responsive architecturesto probe immune cell activation, and our review has providedme anexcellent opportunity to expand my immunology knowledge base.(Read Mancini’s article, DOI: 10.1021/cb500079s)

■ RAKESH PATHAK

Image courtesy of Rakesh Pathak.

Current position: University of Georgia Athens, Georgia, Dept.of Chemistry, Postdoctoral Research Associate with Prof. ShantaDhar since September 2012Education: University of Rajasthan, India, B.Sc. in Chemistry,

Zoology and Botany, 2001; Jiwaji University Gwalior, M.Sc. inInorganic Chemistry, 2003; Indian Institute of Technology Bombay,India, Ph.D. in Bioinorganic Chemistry, 2011, with Prof. C. P. RaoNonscientific interests: Cricket, swimming, spending time

with friends and familyMy current research interests include design and development

of engineered combinational therapeutic systems, mitochondriatargeted prodrugs for various diseases. We investigate decorationof biodegradable polymers with drug-loaded dendrons andassemble these polymers into nanoparticle formulation. Thistherapeutic strategy is based on a combination of chemo-therapeutic and anti-inflammatory drugs. We study developmentof mitochondria targeted prodrugs to modulate tumormetabolism, antitumor immunity. In the current publication inACS Chemical Biology, we report a targeted molecular scaffold forconstruction of a multiple dichloroacetate (DCA) loadedcompound, Mito-DCA with thousand times better potency,cancer cell specificity, and immune boosting capability comparedto the parent drug DCA. Efficacious delivery of DCA to themitochondria modulates cancer cell metabolism in a uniqueway. We look forward to seeing Mito-DCA being used by thecommunity for further development which intern can create new

avenues for DCA-based therapy. (Read Pathak’s article, DOI:10.1021/cb400944y)

■ KEUN AH RYU

Image courtesy of Lalisa Stutts.

Education: Ph.D. student in the laboratory of Prof. AaronEsser-Kahn at the University of California, Irvine; CalvinCollege, B.S. Chemistry, Advisor: Carolyn AndersonNonscientific interests: Rowing, Kendo, TV showsI have found immunology to be very exciting, and yet it is

difficult to fully grasp the complexity of the systems. This reviewis interesting in that it gives a more fundamental, chemical approachto biological systems. This is a great way of bridging the gap betweenchemistry and biology, which is much needed at the interface ofboth disciplines. (Read Ryu’s article, DOI: 10.1021/cb500079s)

■ JUSTIN STEINFELD

Image courtesy of Bart Steinfeld.

Current position: Columbia University College of Physicians andSurgeons, Integrated Program inCellular,Molecular and BiophysicalStudies, MD/PhD Candidate, Research Advisor: Eric GreeneEducation: Yale University, B.S. in Molecular Biophysics and

Biochemistry, 2011Nonscientific interests: Woodworking, electric and double

bass, squash, basketballMy research currently focuses on the dynamics of DNA

binding proteins during homologous recombination in yeast andhumans. We use single-molecule techniques combined with micro-fluidics to tether and visualize 100s of single-stranded DNAs(ssDNAs) along barriers, creating what we call “DNA curtains”.This allows us to collect protein dynamic data in a high-throughputmanner. In this manuscript, we use LC−MS to measure theintracellular levels of natural amino acids and phosphoamino acidsinside E. coli. By manipulating the genome and growth conditions,

ACS Chemical Biology Introducing Our Authors

dx.doi.org/10.1021/cb500332m | ACS Chem. Biol. 2014, 9, 1063−10651064

we can increase levels of phosphoamino acids comparable tocanonical amino acids. Already, phosphoserine has been incorpo-rated into proteins cotranslationally by using engineered orthogonaltranslation systems allowing researchers to examine phosphor-ylation signaling proteins without knowing the exact upstreamkinase. This research confirms that phosphoserine can be presentinside E. coli cells at relevant levels, as well as pThr and pTyr, layingdown the groundwork for future orthogonal translation systems.(Read Steinfeld’s article, DOI: 10.1021/cb5000532)

■ LALISA STUTTS

Image courtesy of Keun Ah Ryu.

Education: Ph.D. candidate in the laboratory of Prof. AaronEsser-Kahn at the University of California, Irvine; CaliforniaState University, Fullerton, B.S. Biochemistry, 2010Nonscientific interests: Cooking, hiking, eating clementines

with co-workersThe focus of my Ph.D. is on the generation of chemical probes

for studying immune pathways in single cells and smallpopulations. As described in this review, immune cells useToll-like receptors (TLRs) to recognize the “molecular finger-print” of pathogens, the distinct structures of pathogenic componentsor agonists. I have designed photolabile probes of TLR4 agonists,whereby the agonist is caged until exposure to long wave UV light.The caged agonist does not activate the TLR and is therefore hiddenfrom the immune system. This approach is advantageous for selectiveactivation of single cells. We aim to use these caged agonists intandem for studying the mechanism of activation synergies indendritic cells. (Read Stutts‘ article, DOI: 10.1021/cb500079s)

■ JANINE TOM

Image courtes of Rock Mancini.

Education: Ph.D. candidate in the laboratory of Prof. AaronEsser-Kahn at the University of California, Irvine; University of

California, Santa Barbara, B.S. Chemistry, Advisor: ArmenZakarianNonscientific interests: Travel, cooking, going to the beach,

musicMy current research focuses on how the spatial organization

between Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists affects immunesystem activation and how this can be used as a tool to modulateimmune cell signaling. By using chemical synthesis to modifymacromolecule and small molecule immune-stimulating ligands,we are able to covalently link different agonists together in amodular fashion. The resulting multiagonist constructs are ableto change and control how the immune system responds. Theinterface between synthetic organic chemistry and immunologyis an area that we are excited to explore. The use of chemical toolsto manipulate molecular agonists will allow us to further probeimmune system function and signaling pathways. (Read Tom’sarticle, DOI: 10.1021/cb500079s)

■ TONG ZHOU

Image courtesy of Tong Zhou.

Current position: Postdoc Associate in Dr. Yue Chen’s lab,Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University ofMinnesota, Twin CitiesEducation: Postdoc Fellow, Utah State University, 2011−

2013, Advisor: Jixun Zhan; Ph.D,Medicinal Chemistry, ShanghaiInstitute of Materia Medica, CAS, 2007−2010, Advisor: LijiangXuan; M.Sc, Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, CAS,2004−2007, Advisor: Xiukun Lin; B.A, Aquaculture, OceanUniversity of China, 2000−2004Nonscientific interests: Soccer, hiking, bicycling, fishingTwo sets of routine package, high-reducing PKS and non-

reducing PKS encode the biosynthetic process of m-benzenediollactones in microorganisms. Their interpretation codes weredeciphered via the chemical identification of the combinatorialbiosynthesis products. Upon the functional understanding ofenoylreductase (ER), product template (PT), thioesterase (TE)domains, we are able to increase the diversity of compoundlibrary by reprogramming, reshuffling and reconstituting inheterogeneous host. Although I was surprised by the “stutter”products, due to the imaginable different “language system”between species or enzymes, the major products are as expectedand many of them possess very good bioactivity. It will be highlyefficient, precise, and labor-saving that we hire these designedmicroorganisms to synthesize valuable compounds instead oforganic reactions in boiling pots. (Read Zhou’s article, DOI:10.1021/cb500043g)

ACS Chemical Biology Introducing Our Authors

dx.doi.org/10.1021/cb500332m | ACS Chem. Biol. 2014, 9, 1063−10651065