| Title: | Professor |
| Dept: | Chemistry |
| Office: | SR 363 |
| Phone: | 216-687-2454 |
| Email: | A.BERDIS@csuohio.edu |
| Web: | http://www.tiberianbioscienceandpharma.com/ |
| Address: | 2121 Euclid Ave. SR 363, Cleveland, OH 44115 |
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| Education: | ||||||||
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B.S., Chemistry, Gannon University, 1990
Ph.D., Biochemistry, University of North Texas, 1993 Post-Doctoral Fellow, BioOrganic Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, 1998 | ||||||||
| Brief Bio: | ||
| Cancer can be broadly defined as a hyper-proliferative disease, and the ability of these cells to replicate uncontrollably provides an obvious therapeutic target. Over the past 10 years as an independent investigator, my laboratory has developed several new chemical agents that function as anti-cancer agents against hematological and solid cancers. The primary focus of our work is the development and biological testing of non-natural nucleosides/nucleotides that target DNA polymerase activity. My lab has produced ~40 different 5-substituted indolyl-deoxyribosides that mimic the core structure of deoxyadenosine. These efforts have been rewarding as we have published over thirty (30) research articles, four (4) review articles, and several book chapters on the development and application of these non-natural nucleotides as probes to monitor polymerases during replication. In addition, our research efforts have produced several patents for the use of these compounds to increase the effectiveness of other existing anti-cancer agents including temozolomide, cisplatin, and ionizing radiation.
Our research has impacted several scientific fields ranging from chemistry to biochemistry to cancer pharmacology. We have achieved several important milestones including: 1) the rational design of non-natural nucleotides that are effectively and selectively incorporated opposite DNA lesions formed by various chemotherapeutic agents, 2) the development of a new model for translesion DNA synthesis invoking the contributions of nucleobase hydrophobicity and pi-cation and pi-pi stacking interactions, 3) the demonstration that non-natural nucleosides can enhance the cytotoxic effects of DNA damaging agents that form abasic sites, and 4) the completion of animal studies validating the efficacy and safety of non-natural nucleosides as chemotherapeutic agents. We are now pursuing additional studies designed to propel these unique agents into Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. | ||
| Honors and Awards: | ||
| 2013 Editorial Board Member for Biochim Biophysica Acta (BBA) Molecular Cell Research (MRC)
2012 Visiting Professor, Invited Visiting Professor, Institut de Chimie Moleculaires et des Materiaux d'Orsay, Universite Paris XI (Orsay) 2009 Guest Editor, Thematic Issue on DNA Polymerase Structure and Function Biochemical and Biophysica Acta (BBA) 2006 Henry W. Menn Memorial Award (Skin Cancer Foundation) 2003 Outstanding Didactic Instructor, School of Dentistry, Case Western Reserve University 2002 Outstanding Faculty of 2002, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University 1994-1997 NIH Post-doctoral Fellowship | ||
| Creative and Activities: | ||
| Patents and Invention Disclosures
1. Selective Inhibitors of Translesion DNA Replication U.S. Patent Number 8,117,847 (Issued Feb. 14, 2012). Issued through Case Western Reserve University and the Law Offices of Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell, & Tummino L.L.P. 2. Dual inhibitor of cell-cycle dependent kinases and the P-glycoprotein drug transporter. Non-Provisional Patent submitted on April 29, 2007 through Case Western Reserve University and the Law Offices of Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell, & Tummino L.L.P. 3. Metal Containing Nucleosides as Molecular Imaging Agents. Invention disclosure filed with the Technology Transfer Office of Case Western Reserve University on May 1, 2007. 4. Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase as a Novel Biocatalyst to Create Nucleic Acid Libraries. Invention disclosure filed with the Technology Transfer Office of Case Western Reserve University on June 18, 2007. 5. Pyrimidine Nucleoside Analogs as Chemosensitizers. Invention disclosure filed with the Technology Transfer Office of Case Western Reserve University on September 22, 2007. | ||
| Research Interests: | ||
| Chemical and Biological Studies of DNA Replication, DNA Repair, and Nucleoside Metabolism. Basic science endeavors focus on elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms for the maintenance of genomic fidelity utilizing kinetic methodologies, site-directed mutagenesis, and medicinal chemistry. Information from these basic science studies guide pre-clinical efforts to develop small molecule inhibitors of DNA polymerization and repair pathways that can be used to potentiate the effects of existing chemotherapeutic agents. | ||
| Teaching Areas: | ||
| Graduate Education: Primary teaching responsibilities include Advanced Biochemistry I (CHM 653/753) and Advanced Biochemistry II (CHM 654/754). These courses are designed to provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge on the structure and function of various macromolecules ranging from sugars and lipids to more complex entities including proteins and nucleic acid. In addition, studies focus on the integration of biochemical pathways used in the catabolism and anabolism of essential metabolites. The course also provides students with detailed information regarding biological pathways such as DNA replication and repair, transcription, and translation. Finally, emphasis is placed on the development and application of chemical entities that can be used to treat diseases that are caused by defects in these pathways.
Undergraduate Education: Teaching efforts include Pharmacology (CHM 351/451) and Honors general Chemistry I Laboratory. The goal is to provide students with a foundation in the molecular and cellular basis of disease. This information is then used to explain how small molecules are developed and implemented to treat disease as well as to understand the basis for adverse side effects associated with therapeutic agents. Particular emphasis is placed on drugs used to treat cardiovascular disease and cancer, the number 1 and 2 causes of death in the United States. | ||
| Professional Affiliations: | ||
| PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
2007-Present Member of Environmental Mutagen Society 2001-Present Member of American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1999-Present Member of Alpha Sigma Chi Chemistry Fraternity (Professional Member) 1993-Present Member of the American Chemical Society | ||
| Professional Experience: | ||
| 2013-Present Scientific Advisory Board Member, Molecular Assembly, LLC
2012-Present Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Tiberian Biosciences and Pharmaceuticals, LLC 2012-Present Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio 2002-2012 Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 2000-2002 Senior Instructor, Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 1998-2000 Research Associate Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 1993-1998 National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania Advisor: Professor Stephen J. Benkovic 1990-1993 Robert A. Welch Pre-Doctoral Fellow, Department of Biochemistry, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas Advisor: Professor Paul F. Cook | ||
| University Service: | ||
| 2013 - Present Member of the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee at Cleveland State University
2013 - Present Member of the Radiation Safety Committee at Cleveland State University 2013 Member of the Inorganic Faculty Search Committee at Cleveland State University | ||
| Professional Service: | ||
| 1. Reviewer for Biochemistry (2002-Present)
2. Reviewer for The Journal of the American Chemical Society (2004-Present) 3. Reviewer for The Journal of the Molecular Biology (2004-Present) 4. Reviewer for ChemBioChem (2005-Present) 5. Reviewer for Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry (2007-Present) 6. Reviewer for Journal of Organic Chemistry (2008-Present) 7. Reviewer for Tetrahedron Letters (2008-Present) 8. Reviewer for Nucleic Acids Research (2008-Present) 9. Ad Hoc reviewer on NIH Study Section- Drug Discovery P01 Review, October 17-18, 2005. 10. Ad Hoc reviewer on NIH Study Section- Drug Discovery P01 Review, October 5- 6, 2006. 11. Ad Hoc reviewer on NIH Study Section- Synthetic and Biological Chemistry (SBCA), June 13-14,2006. 12. Ad hoc reviewer for National Science Foundation (2007) 13. Ad hoc reviewer for US Civilian Research and Development Foundation (2007) 14. Ad hoc reviewer for Jeffress Research Grant (2010) 15. Ad Hoc reviewer on NIH Study Section- ZRG1-BCMB-R (40)P meeting, July 19th, 2012. | ||
| Research Grants: | ||
| Current Funding:
1. National Science Foundation (CBET-1066107) Role: Co-PI Title: Novel biophotonic probes to monitor cellular metabolism of nucleosides Start date: July 15, 2011. Finish data: June 30, 2014. Per year: $199,885 ($132,174 direct + 67,701 indirect) 2. Cleveland State University- Center for Teaching Excellence. Role: PI Title: Re-Introducing the Double Helix Model of Education into Graduate Level Courses Start Date: January 13, 2013; Finish Date: May 13, 2013 Total: Funds totaling $2,300 are available for teaching materials. 3. CSU Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement. Role: PI Title: Testing the Efficacy of New Anti-Cancer Agents against Brain Cancers Start Date: June 10th, 2013; Finish Date: September 13, 2013 Total: Funds totaling $6,780 are available for student stipend and research materials. 4. CSU Faculty Research Development Program. Role: PI Title: Studies towards developing personalized medicines against leukemia Start Date: July 1st, 2013; Finish Date: June 30th, 2013 Total: Funds totaling $25,000 are available for research materials. 5. Department of Defense. Role: PI "Theranostic nucleoside analogs in the treatment of lung cancer" Start Date: September 15th, 2013; Finish Date: September 14th, 2014 Total: Funds totaling $140,000 Direct and Indirect costs over one year. 6. National Institutes of Health. (R21) Role: Co-PI "Targeting Telomerase in Pancreatic Cancer" Start Date: July 1st, 2013; Finish Date: June 30th, 2015 Total: Funds totaling $52,000 in Direct and Indirect costs per year. Past Funding: 1. Department of Defense, US Army Medical Research. (CA091380) Role: PI Title: Gold-containing nucleosides as noninvasive ablation agents Start Date: September 1, 2010; Finish Date: September 30, 2011 Total: $117,500 ($75,000 Direct + $42,500 Indirect) 2. National Institutes of Health (National Cancer Institute R01 CA118408) Role: PI Title: Non-Natural Nucleoside Inhibitors of DNA Polymerases (8.8%) Start Date: June 1, 2005; Finish Date: May 31, 2010 Total: $1,216,600 ($790,000 Direct + $426,600 Indirect) 3. Henry W. Menn Memorial Award (Skin Cancer Foundation) Role: PI Title: Non-Natural Nucleosides as Chemopreventive Agents Against UV-Induced Mutagenesis Start Date: March 1, 2006; Finish Date: February 28, 2007 4. American Cancer Society (Cuyahoga Chapter) Role: PI Title: Non-Nucleoside Inhibitors of DNA Polymerization/Repair Start Date: March 1, 2003; Finish Date: February 28, 2004 | ||