EDUCATION
Ph.D., Georgia State University
M.S., Georgia State University
B.S., University of the West Indies, Jamaica

RESEARCH INTERESTS
It is now well established that a wide range of important therapeutic drugs exert their effects by binding to DNA in a sequence-specific manner. These compounds generally interfere with the actions of many vital enzymes and protein factors involved DNA metabolism. However, a major limiting factor that exists with the use of these drugs is the occurrence of deleterious side effects.

The McKnight research group is currently involved in the study of novel drug molecules (mainly threading intercalators) binding to DNA using spectrophotometric, calorimetric and electrophoretic gel-based techniques. The long term goal is to develop a fundamental understanding of drug-DNA interactions and to use this knowledge as a guide to rationally design less toxic therapeutics.

Research Team

Left to right: Dave, Shiv, Dr. McKnight, James, Sadia

Photos from UMBC Symposium, 2005, Baltimore, MD: Group, Aaron1, Aaron2, James1, James2

Research Symposium, 2006, Geneseo, NY: James-Presentation, Aaron-Presentation

More Photos: Sadia at Fordham, "Let's work together"

UMBC Symposium, 2006, Baltimore, MD: James, Sadia, Congrats!, Geneseo's students

Regional ACS Meeting, 2006: Sadia, James

APPROACHES
DNA thermal denaturation
Spectrophotometric titration
Isothermal titration calorimetry
DNA unwinding assay

TEACHING/COURSES
Chem 304 syllabus (Biochemistry-II "Stars": 05-06, 07 )
Chem 301
Chem 214
Chem 212
Chem 116 (syllabus)
Chem 116 (survey)

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

1. Effect of Chain Length on the Binding of a Homologous Series of Anthraquinones to DNA”. Ruel McKnight , Jianguo Zhang, and Dabney Dixon; NERM (32 nd Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society), October 31 - November 1, 2004 , Rochester , NY .

2. “Binding of a Homologous Series of Anthraquinones to DNA;” Ruel McKnight, Dabney Dixon; SERMACS (55 th Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Region of the American Chemical Society), Atlanta , Georgia , November 16-19, 2003

3. “Insights into the Amine-Induced Cleavage of DNA Abasic Sites;” Ruel McKnight, Jianguo Zhang, and Dabney Dixon; Georgia Life Sciences Summit , Atlanta , Georgia , September 26, 2002 .

4. “Metalloporphyrin Binding to Albumin;” Ruel McKnight, Wanda Santana, Atia Alam, David Shinn, and Dabney Dixon; SERMACS (53 rd Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Region of the American Chemical Society), Savannah , Georgia , September 23-26, 2001 .

5. “Insights into the Amine-Induced Cleavage of DNA Abasic Sites;” Ruel McKnight, Jianguo Zhang, and Dabney Dixon; SERMACS (53 rd Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Region of the American Chemical Society), Savannah , Georgia , September 23-26, 2001 .

6. “Cleavage of Plasmid DNA Abasic Sites by a Series of Triamines and Anthraquinone-Amines;” Ruel McKnight, and Dabney Dixon; Morehouse School of Medicine/Georgia State University Symposium, Atlanta , Georgia , August 17, 2001 .

7. “Insights into the Amine-Induced Cleavage of DNA Abasic Sites;” Ruel McKnight, and Dabney Dixon; 9 th Annual F.L. (Bud) Suddath Memorial Symposium, Atlanta , Georgia ; March 30-31, 2001 .

8. “Binding Cooperativity of Anthraquinones binding to DNA” Ruel McKnight, and Dabney Dixon; 8 th Annual F.L. (Bud) Suddath Memorial Symposium, Atlanta , Georgia ; April 7-8, 2000 .