Jayan's Home Page

In 2002, I joined National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases which is one main institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a world wide leader in biological and health research. I have been working as a visiting fellow with Dr. Kenneth L. Kirk, a famous scientist known as “Mr. Fluorine” because of his pioneer work in fluorine substituted organic molecules.

During my stay at NIH, I have been working mainly on the synthesis of various side chain fluorinated bio indoles, imidazoles etc. including histidinol and tryptophan derivatives. Fluorinated imidazoles have potential applications in the study of cancer treatment and as antifungal agents.

NIH

Another area in which I was working is the laboratory synthesis of dopal and dopegal which are biogenic aldehydes generated by the metabolism of monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine respectively by the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO). Besides, I was also working in the project to synthesis halogenated ascorbic acid derivatives. Halogenated ascorbic acids were used to study the biochemical mechanism of Vitamin C intracellular accumulation.

The life at NIH was really full of fun. The friends like Dr. Bhalchandra Joshi, Mrs. Janaki Nibhanupudy are really ever remembering.

More pictures from the life of NIH has been posted in Photo Gallery.

Myself with Ken

A Moment from the Farewell