Michael Gutierrez

Two state reactivity (TSR) and hydrogen tunneling reaction kinetics measured in the Co+ mediated decomposition of CH3CHO† The electronic structure of a transition metal atom allows it to act as a catalytic active site by providing lower energy alternative pathways in chemical transformations. We have identified and kinetically characterized three such pathways in the title reaction.

Abstract Plants contain rapidly evolving specialized enzymes that support the biosynthesis of functionally diverse natural products. In coumarin biosynthesis, a BAHD acyltransferase-family enzyme COSY was recently discovered to accelerate coumarin formation as the only known BAHD enzyme to catalyze an intramolecular acyl transfer reaction. Here we investigate the structural and mechanistic basis for COSY’s coumarin synthase activity.

Finding a new home is much like any other shopping expedition. You look with something definite in mind. Sometimes the home of your dreams jumps out from the curb when you least expect it. But this is the exception, not the rule in Tulare County and the Southern San Joaquin Valley. Finding a new home can be more like a wild goose chase than you’d care to admit.