Mark Waner
Professor
Background
Mark Waner earned his B.S. in chemistry, and ran cross counrty and track, here at JCU in 1991. After completion of the Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at Michigan State University, Dr. Waner spent a year teaching at Spring Hill College before returning to JCU in August 1999.
Areas of Expertise
- Physical Chemistry
Research Interests
His research interests have focused primarily on biophysical studies of the the biotin binding proteins: avidin and streptavidin. These studies have examined struture and stability of the proteins as they bind biotin molecules. This system is ubiquitous in biotech applications as a tool, given the strong specific binding, but his lab is intersted in gaining better understanding of fundamental stability and structure of this system. Recently work has focused primarily on differential structural changes in the proteins that accompanies the binding of biotin. These changes are followed by means of intrinsic fluorescence of tryptophan residues in the protein. The lab has also made use of some standard biochemical techniques as well as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
Additional research interests have included undergraduate laboratory experiment development, physical organic, pedagogy and recently computational modeling of potential liquid crystal materials in collaboration with Kent State.
Education
B.S., John Carroll University M.S. & Ph.D., Michigan State UniversityCourses Taught
His teaching interests are primarily in Physical and General chemistry. He has also taught courses in STEM education (inservice and preservice K-12 teachers), science for non-STEM majors, including nursing.CH 1410, 1420 General Chemistry 1&2
CH 3630, 3660 Physical Chemistry 1&2
CH 3670, 3680 Physical Chemistry Laboratory 1&2
CH 1210 GOB Laboratory (for nursing students)
Chemistry courses taught: General Chemistry, Chemical Principles (Honors), Physical Chemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Chemistry in Society, Environmental Chemistry/Energy and Important Commodity (latter two are non-science major courses).
Courses for pre-service and in-service teachers: Introductory Chemistry & Physics by Inquiry (6 cr. linked courses for pre-service early and middle childhood), Interdisciplinary Science (pre-service, early childhood), Science & Technology (in-service, middle school teachers), Explorations in Science Content & Pedagogy (8 cr. M.Ed. with licensure sequence), Professional Development Seminar (student teaching seminar).Publications
*denotes undergraduate co-author
2023 Waner, M.J.; *Ellis, G.; *Graeca, M.; *Ieraci, N.; *Morell, C.; *Murphy, A.; Mascotti, D.P.; Avidin Cooperative Allosterism upon Binding Biotin Observed by Differential Changes in Intrinsic Fluorescence, Biochem. Biophys. Rep., 36, 1-5 (DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2023.101554).
2019 Waner, M.J.; *Hiznay, J.M.; *Mustovich, A.T.; *Patton, W.; *Ponyik, C.; Mascotti, D.P.;, Streptavidin cooperative allosterism upon binding biotin observed by differential changes in intrinsic fluorescence, Biochem. Biophys. Rep., 17 , 127–131. (DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2018.12.011).
2010 Mascotti, D.P.; Waner, M.J., Complementary Spectroscopic Assays for Investigating Protein-Ligand Binding Activity: A Project for the Advanced Chemistry Laboratory, J. Chem. Educ., 87 (7), 735–738. (DOI: 10.1021/ed100199j).
2010 Nichols, M.A., Waner, M.J., Kinetic and Mechanistic Studies of the Deuterium Exchange in Classical Keto-Enol Tautomeric Equilibrium Reactions, J. Chem. Educ., 87 (9), 952–955 (DOI: 10.1021/ed100292r).
2010 Waner, M.J., Particulate Pictures and Kinetic Molecular Theory Concepts: Seizing an Opportunity, J. Chem. Educ., 87 (9), 924–927 (DOI: 10.1021/ed100304q).
2008 Waner, M.J., Mascotti, D.P. A Simple Spectrophotometric Streptavidin-Biotin Binding Assay Utilizing Biotin-4-Fluorescein, J. Biochem. Biophys. Methods, 70, 873-877. (DOI 10.1016/j.jbbm.2007.06.001).
2004 Waner, M.J., Navrotskaya, I., *Bain, A. *Oldham, E. D. and Mascotti, D. P., Thermal and sodium dodecylsulfate induced transitions of Streptavidin, Biophys. J., 83, 2701-2713.
2002 McRae, R., Rahn, J.A., Beamer, T.W., LeBret, N., Waner, M.J., Brown, E.J.S. The Liquid Nitrogen Fountain, J. Chem., Educ. 79(10), 1220.
