Matthew H. Sazinsky

Professor of Chemistry
With Pomona Since: 2007
  • Expertise

    Expertise

    Matthew Sazinsky is a biochemist whose research employs X-ray crystallography and biochemical techniques to answer important questions about the structure and function of proteins. The main themes of his research themes include: identifying the determinants of metalloenzyme activity and tuning; re-engineering proteins for altered functions and/or expanded catalytic capabilities; and providing a basis for understanding the biochemical processes in pathogenic bacteria. Undergraduate students in his research laboratory are heavily involved in the structural and biochemical characterization of specific protein targets.

    Research Interests

    The structure and function of proteins

    Areas of Expertise

    CHEMISTRY

    • Biochemistry
    • Structural Biology
    • Bio-Inorganic
    • Enzymology
  • Work

    Work

    Sazinsky, M. H., Lippard, S. J., in Sustaining Life on Planet Earth: Metalloenzymes Mastering Dioxygen and Other Chewy Gases, Eds. P.M.H. Kroneck, M.E. Sosa Torres; Vol. 15 of Metal Ions in Life Sciences; Eds. A. Sigel, H. Sigel, R.K.O. Sigel; Springer International Publishing AG, Cham, Switzerland, 2015, Chapter 6, 205-256.

    Lee, K. H., Humbarger, S., Bhanvadia, R. Sazinsky, M. H., Crane, E. J.: "Characterization of the mechanism of the NADH-dependent polysulfide reductase (Npsr) from Shewanella loihica PV-4:  Formation of a productive NADH-enzyme complex and its role in the general mechanism of NADH and FAD-dependent enzymes," Biochem. Biophys. Acta.  2014, 1844, 1708-1717.

    Heller, G., Zwang, T. J., Sarapata, E. A., Haber, M. A., Sazinsky, M. H., Radunskaya, A. E., Johal, M. S.: "Accounting for unintended binding events in the analysis of quartzcrystal microbalance kinetic data," Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 2014, 117, 425-431.

    Morrison, E., Kantz, A., Gassner, G.T., Sazinsky, M. H.: "Structure and Mechanism of Styrene Monooxygenase Reductase: New Insight into the FAD-Transfer Reaction," Biochemistry, 2013, 52, 6063-6075.

    Herwald, S., Liu, A.Y., Zhu, B.E., Sea, K. W., Lopez, K.M., Sazinsky, M. H., Crane, E.J.: "Structure and substrate specificity of the pyrococcal coenzyme A disulfide reductases/polysulfide reductases (CoADR/Psr): implications for S(0)-based respiration and a sulfur-dependent antioxidant system in Pyrococcus," Biochemistry, 2013, 52, 2764-2773.

    Zwang, T., Gormally, M. Johal, M., Sazinsky, M. H.: "Enhanced Iron Availability by Protein Glycation may Explain Higher Infection Rates in Diabetics," Biometals, 2012, 25, 237-245.

    Song, W. J, Gucinski, G., Sazinsky, M. H., Lippard, S. J.: "Tracking a Defined Route for O2-Migration in a Dioxygen-Activating Diiron Enzyme," Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 2011, 108, 14795-800.

    Platter, E., Lawson, M., Marsh, C., Sazinsky, M. H.: "Characterization of a Non-Ribosomal Peptide Synthetase-Associated Diiron Arylamine N-Oxygenase from Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola," Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 2011, 508, 39-45.

    Warner, M., Lukose, V., Lee, K.-H., Lopez, K., Sazinsky, M. H., Crane III, E. J.: "Characterization of an NADH-dependent persulfide reductase from Shewanella loihica PV-4:  Implications for the mechanism of sulfur respiration via FAD-dependent enzymes," Biochemistry, 2011, 50, 194-206.

    Woon Ju Song, Michael S. McCormick, Rachel K. Behan, Matthew H. Sazinsky, Wei Jiang, Jeffery Lin, Carsten Krebs, Stephen J. Lippard: "Active Site Threonine Facilitates Proton Transfer During Dioxygen Activation at the Diiron Center of Toluene/o-Xylene Monooxygenase Hydroxylase," J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 13582-13585.

  • Education

    Education

    Ph.D.
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Bachelor of Science
    Haverford College

    Recent Courses Taught

    • Independent Research in Chemistry
    • Biochemistry with Lab
    • Organic Chemistry with Lab
  • Awards & Honors

    Awards & Honors

    Pomona College, Wig Distinguished Professorship Award for Excellence in Teaching: 2010

    Pomona College, Camille and Henry Dreyfus Faculty Start-Up Award, 2007