New Biochemistry Professor Presents Seminar on Drug Delivery  

The Rose Mercadante Chemistry and Biochemistry Seminar Series is pleased to present a seminar by Professor Gregory Wiedman, our new Assistant Professor of Biochemistry entitled "Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Cell Membrane and Consequences for Drug Delivery."

The seminar will be held on Tuesday September 4, 2018 from 5:45 p.m. – 7 p.m. in the Helen Lerner Amphitheater, Science and Technology Center, Seton Hall University. Refreshments are available at 5:30 p.m..

Dr. Wiedman received his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania where he worked as an undergraduate researcher in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics as well as spending time working in the Bioengineering, Immunology, and Nuclear Medicine Departments. He then pursued graduate work at The Johns Hopkins University. At Hopkins, Dr. Wiedman developed methods of improving drug delivery using membrane active peptides. As a postdoctoral researcher, Dr. Wiedman joined the lab of Dr. David S. Perlin at the Public Health Research Institute (PHRI) at Rutgers University. In his time at PHRI, Dr. Wiedman worked in microbiology. Now, as a professor at Seton Hall, Dr. Wiedman hopes to use his broad background to oversee interdisciplinary projects that span the areas of biochemistry, biophysics, and biomaterials engineering.

The cell membrane is essential for cellular based life. The chemical and physical properties of the cell membrane determine whether molecules can get into the cell. Understanding these properties can lead to breakthroughs in treating all kinds of disease, from metastatic cancers to antimicrobial resistant microorganisms. This presentation will first describe the important physical-chemical properties of the cell membrane as it relates to small molecule (peptide)-membrane interactions. We'll then talk about the importance of therapeutic drug monitoring to treating diseases with small molecule drugs.  Finally, we will discuss potential new mechanisms to modulate the cell membrane composition and the consequences for drug delivery.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers B.S., M.S. and Ph.D degrees with specializations in all areas of chemistry. Our unique research environment, including traditional full-time students and part-time students is designed to foster collaborations with industry and colleagues in other disciplines. The Rose Mercadante Seminar Series is named for Rose Mercadante, the departmental secretary for over 40 years, in honor of our alumni, her "boys and girls."