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Henry Hall Room 7
Tel (808) 440-4285
3140 Waialae Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816
Dr. Peter Cohen is an Associate Professor of Forensic Science at Chaminade University. He has spent the last fourteen years conducting research in a variety of scientific areas that can be fairly broadly defined as geobiology and palaeobiochemistry, natural products chemistry, organic geochemistry and chemical evolution, cosmochemistry and meteoritics, and traditional botany and microbiology (plant, fungal and microbial systematics). The following paragraphs provide a short description of the research efforts undertaken in these areas:
Palaeobiology. Research efforts were directed toward the isolation, purification, structural characterization, biosynthesis and biological testing of a wide variety of natural products bearing biological, taxonomic and evolutionary significance. In particular, secondary metabolites from microbes, fungi and lichens and fossils were characterized, and studied for their biological activities and evolutionary significance with respect to microbial, fungal and lichen palaeobiology and taxonomic classification. A wide variety of novel structures were characterized from microbes, fungi and lichens, and particular emphasis was placed on the identification of chlorinated natural products and examination of the chemical and biochemical bases for biohalogenation in nature. Additional research problems involved the identification of secondary metabolites in microbes, fungi and lichens that might offer potential benefit in the context of palaeobiology and exobiology. Thus, refractory anthraquinonoid compounds were isolated from bacteria and lichens, and are regarded as potential biological markers in the search for extant, or extinct, biological activity in any planned future missions to the planet Mars. This concept is partially based on the published scientific evidence for the remarkable stability of anthraquinones (and other extended quinones) in the environment; such natural products have been characterized from fossil crinoids dating from the early Jurassic Period (230 million years ago). This research was performed (1990-1995) in the Department of Botany, University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada); Department of Chemistry, Columbia University in New York, USA (1997-1998); Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (1999-2000); Department of Biology and the Herbarium, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor (2000-2001); and the Department of Biology, Adelphi University (2002-present).
Geochemistry and chemical evolution. Research in this area has been directed toward the identification of biological molecules in a variety of geological environments, as well as the ‘prebiotic’ syntheses of biological molecules and cell membranes under putative early Earth-like conditions (approximately 3 billion years ago). Organic geochemical analyses of ‘black smokers’ from marine hydrothermal vents in the San Juan de Fuca straits (off the coast of British Columbia) was undertaken with the view of trying to characterize biological molecules (amino acids, nucleotides, aliphatic compounds and fatty acids) of prebiotic significance. Various minerals present in the smokers (e.g., Pyrite, Marcasite, Galena, Barite and Anhydrite) were found to contain organic compounds existing as inclusions in mineral crystals, and as non-covalently bound phases on crystal surfaces. Analyses were performed by a variety of spectroscopic methods including: Ion microprobe, ICP-MS, FT-Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy. The prebiotic synthesis of nucleotide (RNA) analogues was performed in order to demonstrate the formation of RNA-precursors under early Earth-like conditions. Condensation of derivatized guanine and adenine with an achiral phosphomethylether compound led to the formation of nucleotide analogues of RNA which exhibited chirality in 3-D, and template-directing activity on a variety of mineral surfaces (e.g., fluoroapatite and carbonapatite). The prebiotic formation of primitve membranes was undertaken in order to provide scientific evidence for the postulate that the first living cells (ostensibly similar to extant extremophilic and thermophilic Archaebacteria) on Earth had membranes comprised of isoprenoid units, specifically terpenyl phosphates, rather than the more advanced (and structurally-complex) phospholipid-derived membranes of contemporary organisms. In the event, condensation (polymerization) of formaldehyde and t-butanol (prebiotic organic compounds) in the presence of phosphoric acid and fluoroapatite led to the production of a series of terpenyl mono and diphosphates of varying chain lengths. Compounds of chain length fifteen and higher spontaneously formed closed vesicles in buffer solution, when examined under a confocal microscope. The longer the chain length, the more stable the membrane structure. Finally, the biophysical properties of the prebiotic membranes were studied using microscopic pyrometry, electron microscopy and 2-D proton NMR spectroscopy (in collaboration with students of Professor Karl Stetter, Lehrstuhl für Mikrobiologie und Archaeenzentrum, Universität Regensburg in Germany). This research was performed (1985-1986) in the Laboratory of Chemical Evolution, Salk Institute for Biological Sciences (La Jolla, California, USA); Department of Chemistry and Oceanography (1988-1990) at the University of Washington (Seattle, Washington, USA); the Laboratory of Natural Products Chemistry at the Université Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg, France (1995-1997); and the Department of Biology, Adelphi University (2002-present).
Cosmochemistry and meteoritics. Research involved the mineralogical, petrological and cosmochemical study of several chondritic meteorites, including Allende (carbonaceous CV chondrite), Karatu (LL chondrite), Bjurböle (L4 chondrite) and Mighei (C2 chondrite). Ion and X-ray microprobe, as well as microscopic studies, of chondrules and various mineral phases in the meteorite Mighei led to the identification of the uncommon extraterrestrial minerals Lawrencite (FeCl2.nH20) and Molysite (FeCl3.nH20). The compositions, melting and recrystallization properties of several chondrites, and their constituent chondrules, were examined using a pyrometric microscope equipped with a video recorder. These experiments were performed in order to better understand the formation of CAIs (Calcium and Aluminum-Rich Inclusions) and other chondritic components under extraterrestrial conditions. Laboratory-controlled studies demonstrated that the formation of CAIs is dependent on the melt temperature, partial pressure and Na and Fe content of the meteorite and constituent inclusions. The laboratory evidence suggests that unequilibrated chondrules, bearing CAIs, are possibly formed in plasma clouds where isotope fractionation and heterogeneous melting and (re)crystallizations are likely to occur. This research was undertaken (1985-1986) in the Department of Chemistry, University of California-San Diego (La Jolla, USA); and the Department of Mineralogy and Meteoritics, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC (1987-1988).
Exobiology and microbiology. Research efforts were directed toward the taxonomic study of microbes (non-pathogenic bacteria), fungi (basidiomycetes and ascomycetes) and lichens. Samples of temperate and tropical-climate species were collected in the field, microscopically examined in the laboratory, and analyzed biochemically for constituent enzymes and secondary metabolites. In addition, laboratory experiments were performed in which bacteria, fungi and lichens were cultured under a variety of ‘extreme’ conditions (high temperature, high salinity, drought, high UV radiation and exposure to ß-particle radiation), in order to determine the effect of varied environmental conditions on organismal physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology. In one experiment it was shown that certain fungi and lichens undergo stresses in their secondary metabolic pathways and primary metabolism, when grown under conditions of continuous drought, high salinity and high UV radiation. This altered lichen physiology was expressed by the formation of unique (chlorinated) secondary metabolites and halogenating enzymes, that did not appear to be present in the normal (non-cultured) lichen inhabiting the usual substrate in the field (coastal igneous rocks). The exobiological implications of bacterial, fungal and lichen growth under ‘extreme’ conditions were analyzed and discussed within the context of future exploratory missions to the planet Mars. This research was performed in the Department of Botany at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada (1990-1995); and the Department of Biology, Adelphi University (2002- present).
Foreign languages: Fluent in English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, Malay (Bahasa Malaysia)and Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia).
B.G.S., (Physical Sciences) University of Maryland (College Park), 1984
M.S., (Chemistry) University of Washington (Seattle), 1989
Ph.D., (Interdisciplinary Biology) University of British
Columbia, Vancouver,
BC, Canada, 1995
Current: Trace Evidence (FS 625) and Trace Evidence Laboratory (FS 625 L)
Microbiology (two years: Adelphi University)
Biochemistry (one year: Adelphi University)
General Biology (one year: University of Texas)
Cell Biology and Physiology (one year: University of Texas)
Organic Chemistry (one year: University of British Columbia)
Biochemistry (one year: University of British Columbia)
Plant Biochemistry (one year: University of British Columbia)
Organic Chemistry (one year: University of Washington)
General Chemistry (one year: University of Washington)
Biochemistry (one year: University of Washington)
Organic Chemistry (two years: University of Maryland)
Associate Professor of Forensic Science
Department of Forensic Sciences
Chaminade University
3140 Waialae Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96816
Work: Teach and perform research in the forensic sciences.
Physical Scientist/Program Manager in General Forensic Sciences (6/07-6/08)
Investigative and Forensic Sciences Division
Office of Science and Technology
National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs
Department of Justice
Washington, DC
Work: Manage a large grant program in the forensic sciences (chemistry, trace, crime scene, toxicology, controlled substances, biology, material science, and impression).
Biologist (9/06-5/07)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Pacific Islands Office
Honolulu, Hawaii
Work: Chemical and biological protection against invasive threats (plants, microbes, algae).
Lecturer (Faculty) in Biology (9/04-7/05)
School of Biological Sciences
University of Texas at Austin
Work: Teaching and performing research in biology.
Assistant Professor in Biology/Chemistry (9/02-6/04)
Department of Biology
Adelphi University
Garden City, New York
Work: Research in organic chemistry, phytochemistry, biochemistry and microbiology.
Research Scientist in Botany (10/00-7/02)
The Herbarium, Department of Biology
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
Work: Served as an assistant curator for lichens and researcher in lichen phytochemistry.
Pharmanex Research Fellow in Organic Chemistry (1/97-1/98)
Department of Chemistry
Columbia University
New York, New York
Work: Research in organic chemistry and natural products chemistry.
French Academy of Sciences Research Fellow in Organic Chemistry (9/95-12/96)
Université Louis Pasteur
Strasbourg, FRANCE F-67084
Work: Research in organic, geological and physical chemistry consisted of synthesizing phospholipids and lipid membranes.
REFEREED PUBLICATIONS
Cohen, P.A., Dannenmuller, O., Nakatani, Y. and Ourisson, G., 2008, Formation of Primitive Membranes under Putative Prebiotic Conditions, resubmitted to Nature.
Cohen, P.A., 2008, Zam-Zam: Medicinal Water from the Holy Well at Makah, resubmission to Nature.
Butanasayawood, R. and Cohen, P.A., 2007, New Quinone Compounds from Usnea canariensis from the Canary Islands, submitted to The Lichenologist.
Cohen, P.A., 2007, Herpothallonic Acid, A New Napthoquinone Pigment from the Tropical Lichen Herpothallon sanguineum, submitted to Phytochemistry.
Cohen, P.A. and Robinson, P., 2007, Polyporic Acid from the New Zealand Lichen Pseudocyphellaria coronata, submitted to Phytochemistry.
Hutchinson, A. and Cohen, P.A., 2007, Novel Bioactive Pigments from the Dog Stinkhorn Basidiomycete, Mutinus caninus, submitted to The Mycologist.
Zakaria, L., Zakaria, M. and Cohen, P.A., Lichens of Penang: A Catalogue and Field Guide, Jurnal Biosains (Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia), 1 May (2006).
Cohen, P.A. and Robinson, P., 2,5-Diphenyl-3,6-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (polyporic acid), Acta Crystallographa, E57, 596-598 (2006).
Cohen, P.A., 2004, Chemistry of the Rare Indonesian Lichen, Acroscyphus sphaerophoroides, The Lichenologist.
Cohen, P.A. Halogenated Anthraquinones from the Rare Southern Illinois Lichen Lasallia papulosa, The Lichenologist, 34(6), 521-525 (2003).
Pappelis, A., Bahn, P., Grubbs, R., Bozzola, J. and Cohen, P. A., 2002, From Inanimate Macromolecules to the Animate Protocell: In Search of Thermal Protein Phase-Shifting. In First Steps in the Origin of Life in the Universe. Julián Chela-Flores, Tobias Owen, and François Raulin, eds., Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, P. 65-68.
Cohen, P.A. and Towers, G.H.N., Chlorination of Anthraquinones by Lichen and Fungal Enzymes, Phytochemistry, 44, 271-274 (1997).
Cohen, P.A. and Cohen, L.A., Correlation of the Effects of Alkyl Substituents on the Basicities of Indoles, Canadian Journal of Chemistry, 70, 282-282 (1996).
Cohen, P.A. and Towers, G.H.N., Biosynthetic Studies on Chlorinated Anthraquinones in the Lichen Nephroma laevigatum, Phytochemistry, 42, 1325-1329 (1996).
Cohen, P.A. and Towers, G.H.N., Antiviral Activities of Anthraquinones, Bianthrones and Hypericin Derivatives from Lichens, Experientia, 52, 180-183 (1996).
Cohen, P.A. and Towers, G.H.N., Anthraquinones of Heterodermia obscurata, Phytochemistry, 40, 911-915 (1995).
Cohen, P.A. and Towers, G.H.N., Anthraquinones and Phenanthroperylenequinones of Nephroma laevigatum, Journal of Natural Products, 58, 520-526 (1995).
INVITED PRESENTATIONS
Cohen, P.A., Environmental Biogeochemistry, 2006, Pratt Institute, Department of Sciences, May 9, New York.
Cohen, P.A., Fungal Biochemistry, 2005, Department of Biology, June 4, Manhattan College, New York.
Cohen, P.A, Forensic Biochemistry, 2004, CUNY, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Department of Biology and Chemistry, May 27, New York.
Cohen, P.A., Tropical Biodiversity, Science University of Malaysia, 2003, School of Biological Sciences, August 22, Penang, Malaysia.
Cohen, P.A., Tropical Biodiversity, University of Malaya, 2003, Department of Biological Sciences, August 4, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Cohen, P.A., Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry, 2001, Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, October 9, Chicago, Illinois.
Cohen, P.A., Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry, 2001, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, May 19, London, United Kingdom.
American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Chemical Society
American Society for Pharmacognosy
Asia Society
Association for Asian Studies
Fulbright Association
International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
New York Academy of Sciences
Fulbright Fellowship ($ 30,000) to undertake research and teaching in Malaysia (Science University of Malaysia, Penang) in the summer of 2003 and 2004. Research on natural products chemistry, phytochemistry and environmental biology.
Adelphi University start-up funds for chemical and biological research and laboratory equipment $ 70-80,000) 2002-2004.
Adelphi University President’s New Faculty Award ($ 20,000) to undertake research and teaching in natural products chemistry and environmental biology in the summer of 2003 and summer of 2004.
Departmental Grant (~ $ 20,000), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois; organic and medicinal chemical research involving the isolation of novel bioactive organic compounds from microbes, fungi and lichens collected from southern Illinois ecosystems.
ERF Grant-Taxonomy (~ $ 40,000), Herbarium, Department of Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; curatorial responsibilities involved managing and studying (chemistry and taxonomy) the lichen collection of 40,000 specimens.
Pharmanex Fellowship (~ $ 40,000); organic chemical, pharmacological and toxicological research involving the chemical structural characterization, synthesis and biological testing of biologically-active natural products from Asian medicinal fungi and toxic microbes.
French Government and French Academy of Sciences/CNRS Fellowship (~ 240,000 FF = ~ $ 40,000); research in organic and physical chemistry directed towards studying the origins of life.
French Academy of Sciences/Marion-Merrell-Dow Award (~240,000 FF = ~ $ 40,000); research in organic and physical chemistry directed towards synthesizing primitive protocells under prebiotic conditions.
NSERC Grant (~ $ 20,000), Department of Botany and Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; doctoral thesis research directed towards the ecology, taxonomy, isolation, culturing, phylogeny, molecular biology, chemical identification, chemical structure determination, organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry and biological testing of bioactive toxic lichen, fungal and microbial their organic chemical natural products.
Total Independent Grant and Research Support: $ 350,000
