Project 2: Mechanistic Studies of Grignard Reactions:  This project involves synthesis of isotopically substituted reactants, and the study of the mechanisms of addition of Grignard reagents to epoxides through the use of chemical kinetics, isotope effects, linear free energy relationships and other mechanistic probes.

Project 1:  Mechanism and Inhibition of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase:  This project involves the synthesis and characterization of novel inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.  Currently, we are involved in the synthesis of photoaffinity label analogs of novel inhibitors of reverse transcriptase.  These photoaffinity labels will be used to locate the RT binding site of these compounds and provide information regarding the structure-function of this important enzyme.

Past students who worked in the Peliska lab:

Christina Corona ('08) - Synthesis of new inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and the development of bacterial screening methodologies for the study of RT inhibition and the study of the development of drug-resistant mutants of HIV-1 RT.  Christina was a biology major and a chemistry minor.  Cristina will be staying at AMU, working is admissions as an admissions counselor.

Anthony Jay ('08) - Development of new fluorescence-based assays for reverse transcriptase and the characterization of new RT-targeted inhibitors.  Anthony will be pursuing biomedical research at the Boston University School of Medicine focusing on cell signaling and protein trafficking in model systems of Alzheimer's disease.