Sheref Mansy, BS, PhD
Contact
Professor, Faculty of Science - Chemistry
- sheref@ualberta.ca
- Phone
- (780) 492-8823
- Address
-
W5-70C Chemistry Centre - West
11227 Saskatchewan Drive NWEdmonton ABT6G 2G2
Overview
About
Sheref S. Mansy completed his BS and PhD degrees from Ohio State University with JA Cowan and postdoctoral work at Harvard with JW Szostak. After winning a career development award from the Armenise-Harvard Foundation, he began his independent career at the University of Trento in Italy. In 2019 he moved to the University of Alberta. He is a Simons Investigator.
Research
We explore the life-like chemistry that emerges from mixtures of prebiotically plausible molecules. In particular, we probe the metabolic-like chemistry of one of life’s most ancient cofactors, iron-sulfur clusters. The fact that life as we know it is completely reliant on metal ions likely reflects a primordial dependence on these natural catalysts. We also construct protocells, and investigate how the chemistry of iron-sulfur peptides could have helped sustain the existence of protocells. Students working with us have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of spectroscopic techniques, collaborate with scientists from disparate disciplines, and enjoy the challenge of trying to solve one of life’s greatest mysteries.
Courses
CHEM 451 - Chemical Biology
Advanced methods used to analyze and manipulate biological systems using engineered biomolecules and synthetic organic molecules. Topics may include biomolecule structure and function, enzymology, molecular biology, protein engineering, genome engineering, bioinformatic methods, inhibitor design, library screening methods, fluorescent probes, bioorthogonal chemistry, and various chemical biology methods. Prerequisites: CHEM 351 or BIOCH 200; CHEM 361 (can be taken as co-requisite).
CHEM 551 - Chemical Biology I
Six week course that provides an introduction to the structure and function of the major classes of biological macromolecules. Particular emphasis will be placed on approaches for modifying biomolecule structure using chemical biology and molecular biology methods. Not open to students with credit in CHEM 451.
CHEM 553 - Chemical Biology II
Six week course that provides an introduction to modern chemical biology methods with particular emphasis on the use of synthetic organic molecules and modified biomacromolecules as tools to probe biological systems. Not open to students with credit in CHEM 451.