From the Lab: Brown chemical biologists impact health by focusing on the molecular level

Another project involves the creation of what are known as sulfur donor compounds. These chemical tools allow scientists to precisely control the release of certain sulfur molecules in living systems. In a recent study published in Nature Communications, the lab reported a novel compound that can promote cellular sulfane sulfur production. The donor compound, named TTS, and others like it may eventually be used to increase sulfane sulfur levels in patients.

A rigorous production process

Developing these chemical compounds is no easy feat. In fact, it's incredibly tricky and rigorous. Some compounds can take days, weeks and even months to synthesize. Hydrogen sulfide, for instance, is notoriously difficult to work with, Xian said.

The process involves trial and error as the team researches similar compounds and then experiments with different mixtures and conditions to develop a compound that does what the researchers intend.

At any point, lab members, like third-year Ph.D. student Stephen Lindahl, say they often need to adapt their methods based on the results they are seeing and sometimes look for new uses or unexpected properties of the compounds they develop.

Based in Brown's Geology-Chemistry Research Building, members of the Xian lab take advantage of a range of technologies and equipment to prepare and validate the compounds. The scientists routinely use fluorescence spectrophotometers, microplate readers, fluorescence microscopes and gas microsensors in their research.