David Vanderah

Research Chemist

Marino Group

Contact

Email: dtvanderah@gmail.com

Call: (240) 314-6266

Education

Ph.D. Organic Chemistry (Marine Natural Products) University of Oklahoma, 1975 B.S. Chemistry Loras College, 1968

Profile

My research at NIST have centered on the preparation of organic materials for the modification of surfaces for optimization of biosensors, protein arrays, protein structure-function studies, and ultrathin film metrology. Currently, much of my work is directed toward the synthesis of lipidic anchor molecules that form the basis of tethered bilayer lipid membranes (tBLMs), increasingly being used for the study of integral membrane proteins (IMPs). Some of my work has focused on understanding the control of protein adsorption. We have shown that, for the widely used oligo(ethylene oxide) (OEO) motif, loosely packed, conformationally mobile, uniformly-distributed, surface-bound molecules are the necessary and sufficient conditions for inhibition of nonspecific protein adsorption. We have prepared materials in which the optimal spacing between molecules is derived from their molecular structure. The OEO motif is being used here, to provide a flexible, polar tether segment capable of supporting an aqueous submembrane reservoir of the tBLM, a condition necessary for optimal IMP functional reconstitution. The tBLMs enable a wide range of metrology, including neutron scattering techniques, to further probe IMP structure and function.

Originally from Iowa, I am married with three kids (all grown now) and assorted pets. Although replaced hips have stopped my (previous) sport interests (handball, running, hiking, skiing), I am a strong advocate of fitness through exercise and nutrition. I teach a cycle class.

Publications
2021
DNA Dye Sytox Green in Detection of Bacteriolytic Activity: High Speed, Precision and Sensitivity Demonstrated With Endolysins.
Molecular basis for recognition of the Group A Carbohydrate backbone by the PlyC streptococcal bacteriophage endolysin.
High avidity drives the interaction between the streptococcal C1 phage endolysin, PlyC, with the cell surface carbohydrates of Group A Streptococcus.
Application of bacteriophage-derived endolysins to combat streptococcal disease: current state and perspectives.
2020
Characterization of the Bacteriophage-Derived Endolysins PlySs2 and PlySs9 with In Vitro Lytic Activity against Bovine Mastitis Streptococcus uberis.
2017
Short-chained oligo(ethylene oxide)-functionalized gold nanoparticles: realization of significant protein resistance.
Fast formation of low-defect-density tethered bilayers by fusion of multilamellar vesicles.
2015
Dithiol-based modification of poly(dopamine): enabling protein resistance via short-chain ethylene oxide oligomers.
2014
Structure and function of the membrane anchoring self-assembled monolayers.
Membrane protein resistance of oligo(ethylene oxide) self-assembled monolayers.
2013
Reconstitution of cholesterol-dependent vaginolysin into tethered phospholipid bilayers: implications for bioanalysis.
Structure and properties of tethered bilayer lipid membranes with unsaturated anchor molecules.
Modification of tethered bilayers by phospholipid exchange with vesicles.
A generalized strategy for immobilizing uniformly oriented membrane proteins at solid interfaces.
2010
In-situ characterization of self-assembled monolayers of water-soluble oligo(ethylene oxide) compounds.
Formation and finite element analysis of tethered bilayer lipid structures.
In-plane homogeneity and lipid dynamics in tethered bilayer lipid membranes (tBLMs).
2009
A new lipid anchor for sparsely tethered bilayer lipid membranes.
Oligo(ethylene oxide) self-assembled monolayers with self-limiting packing densities for the inhibition of nonspecific protein adsorption.
Structure of functional Staphylococcus aureus alpha-hemolysin channels in tethered bilayer lipid membranes.