Dr. Bill Gunderson's research is in the field of bioinorganic chemistry. Research in the Gunderson group has two aims: 1) determine the role of manganese in biomacromolecules, including enzymes and DNA structures, and 2) develop low-cost instrumentation for biochemical and biophysical studies. The first aim includes investigations of the enzyme, toxoflavin lyase, a Mn-containing enzyme that helps protect rice crops from bacterial infections. These enzymatic studies include enzyme kinetics and active site-structure studies using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and other spectroscopic methods. Dr. Gunderson is also investigating the binding characteristics of Mn to DNA hairpins and three-way DNA junctions using EPR spectroscopy. The second aim includes developing spectroscopic techniques using 3D printing technology and Arduino microcontrollers.
