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Dr. DeAngelis has pursued glycobiology, the study of carbohydrates in life processes, from his undergraduate years to the present time as an Associate Professor and researcher at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Several current projects in the DeAngelis laboratory focus on essential polysaccharides found in the human body. The DeAngelis laboratory has identified and/or molecularly cloned several HA hyaluronan biosynthetic enzymes (synthases) from bacteria, vertebrates, and viruses. Active research includes the pursuit of the structure/function relationships of the synthases. His group is also cloning and manipulating the enzymes involved in the synthesis of various polysaccharides that are very similar or identical to the major members of the mucopolysaccharide family: hyaluronan, heparin and chondroitin. The DeAngelis laboratory recently discovered the first chondroitin synthase from any source. Our overall basic science goals are to understand the fundamental mechanisms of naturally occurring enzymes. As a result of this work, we have found certain modules and motifs are responsible for specific sugar transfer reactions. This knowledge has allowed us to pursue endeavors with potential commercial applications. Some of our biotechnological research is focused on (a) the design of novel polysaccharide and oligosaccharide molecules for medical or industrial applications, and (b) the formation of biocompatible coatings and surfaces for use in sensors or other implanted devices. Selected Recent Publications: DeAngelis, P.L. and Padgett-McCue, A.J. 2000: Identification and Molecular Cloning of a Chondroitin Synthase from Pasteurella multocida Type F. J. Biol. Chem. 275:24124-24129. Jing, W. and DeAngelis, P.L. 2000: Dissection of the Two Tranferase Activities of the Pasteurella multocida Hyaluronan Synthase: Two Active Sites Exist in One Polypeptide. Glycobiology. 10:883-889. DeAngelis, P.L. 1999: Molecular Directionality of Polysaccharide Polymerization by the Pasteurella multocida Hyaluronan synthase. J. Biol. Chem. 274:26557-26562. DeAngelis, P.L., Jing, W., Drake, R.R., and Achyuthan, A.M. 1998: Identification and Molecular Cloning of a Unique Hyaluronan Synthase from Pasteurella multocida. J. Biol. Chem. 273:8454-8458. Pummill, P.E., Achyuthan, A.M., and DeAngelis, P.L. 1998: Enzymological Characterization of Recombinant Xenopus DG42, a Vertebrate Hyaluronan Synthase. J. Biol. Chem. 273:4976-4981. DeAngelis, P.L., Jing, W., Graves, M.V., Burbank, D.E., and Van Etten, J.L. 1997: Hyaluronan Synthase of Chlorella Virus PBCV-1. Science. 278:1800-1803. | 