This year the Broadbent Lecture Series is pleased to feature Samuel H. Gellman. Gellman will give a public lecture: “Peptidic Foldamers: Extrapolating from Proteins,” on February 4 at 4 p.m. in W-140 BNSN on BYU campus. February 5is Gellman’s technical lecture, sure to interest those with a background in chemistry or biochemistry. It is entitled, “Impact of Backbone Modifications on Informational Properties of Polypeptides.” He will speak on the goals of the field and the progress that has been made. As Gellman shares his scientific findings with the BYU community, students and faculty can learn how foldamer research impacts healthcare and gain a greater respect for advancements in this field.
Samuel H. Gellman is currently a research professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying chemical biology. Gellman received several awards, namely,the Phi Beta Kappa Teaching Awardand the Ronald Breslow Award for Achievement in Biomimetic Chemistry.He also has more than 100 publications. He received his A.B. from Harvard University,his Ph.D. from Columbia University, and eventually went on to earn his Postdoctoral Fellow from the California Institute of Technology.
Dr. Gellman’s research interests include folded biopolymers,an area of growing scientific interest. He studie show foldamers—artificial molecules that take on specific shapes—can improve biopolymer functions. Foldamers canmimic the ability of proteins to fold into certain shapes, such asalpha-helices. His research is demonstrating that correctly designed foldamers that can morph into helices can interrupt protein interactions associated with viral infection or cancer.
The H. S. Broadbent Lecture Series is an incredible opportunity for students to learn from a real-world scientist who has made a difference. The lecture is named after Hyrum Smith Broadbent for his dedication to science, who passed away in 2010. His legacy has continued as students have the chance to hear annually from renowned scientists who are making their mark in their field.
These lectures are free and open to the public. Both lectures will be held at 4 pm in W-140 BNSN on BYU campus. All students and university community members are invited to be a part this unique experience.