Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty & Staff

About

Dr. Benjamin Lundgren earned a BS in Chemistry from Eastern Washington University and his PhD in Structural Biology, Biochemistry and Biophysics from Syracuse University. Dr. Lundgren specializes in the biochemistry of pathogen-host interactions with emphasis on the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Ralstonia solanacearum, which is the causative agent of bacterial-wilt disease. During his postdoctoral work at the College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), Dr. Lundgren became interested in the biochemistry and gene-control mechanisms of a group of unique, catalytic transcriptional regulators called enhancer-binding proteins or EBPs. Notably, as demonstrated by Dr. Lundgren’s research, many pathogenic bacteria such as P. aeruginosa and R. solanacearum rely on EBPs to regulate their adaptation and survival in the eukaryotic-host environment. One of the major goals of Dr. Lundgren’s research is the characterization of bacterial EBPs, and by doing so, alternative strategies or targets for combating bacterial pathogenesis become possible. This is of particular importance given the continuous increase of antimicrobial resistance among pathogenic microorganisms. Participation from undergraduate students is essential for the completion of Dr. Lundgren’s research goals. Students learn and employ a wide variety of techniques, including growth of various microorganisms, molecular cloning, protein purification, enzymatic assays, gene-expression analyses (reporter assays, RNA seq, etc.), high-throughput screening, and chromatin immunoprecipitation with exonuclease treatment and sequencing (ChIP-exo), which allows us to identify genome-wide binding sites for bacterial EBPs. External funding from National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation is being sought to support this fun and engaging scientific endeavor.

Expertise

• Biochemistry
• Metabolism
• Genetics
• Molecular Biology
• Bacteriology
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Enhancer-binding proteins
• Sigma factors

About

In Loving Memory of Dr. Manson

“Jamie Manson, PhD, an Eastern Washington University chemistry professor and EWU alumnus, passed away on Wednesday, June 7, after a long battle with cancer. He was 53.”

EWU Mourns the passing of beloved scientist Dr. Jamie Manson

About

Areas of Interest

• Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy
• Atmospheric Chemical Reactions
• Cavity-Enhanced Spectroscopic Techniques

About

Academic Information
PhD, University of California, Berkeley

Areas of Interest

• Chemical Physics of Liquids
• Use of Computers in Chemistry

About

Academic Information
PhD, University of Nevada-Reno

Areas of Interest

• Synthesis and Characterization of Transition Metal Complexes