Eli G. Hvastkovs
Associate Professor, Analytical Chemistry
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Connecticut Health Center, Department of Cell Biology, and University of Connecticut, Department of Chemistry (2004-2008)
Ph.D., Chemistry, University of Wyoming (2004)
BS, Chemistry, University of Wyoming (1999)
Research in the Hvastkovs group is centered on the development of electrochemical sensors to detect biologically relevant events. At present, we are interested in elucidating and detecting genetic abnormalities that can lead to cancer. In one project, we are concerned with detecting DNA damage on a gene sequence specific level using an electrochemical platform. We do this through the formation of DNA modified electrodes and the use of a redox active reporter molecule that binds to DNA in a specific manner based on its helical structure. A second project aims at detecting hypermethylated gene segments that can be indicative of silencing or "switching off" that particular gene, which has been shown to be an initial step in the formation of a cancerous cell.
Huffnagle, I. M.; Joyner, A.; Rumble, B.; Hysa, S.; Rudel, D.; Hvastkovs, E. G. "Dual Electrochemical and Physiological Apoptosis Assay Detection of in Vivo Generated Nickel Chloride Induced DNA Damage in Caenorhabditis elegans." Analytical Chemistry, 2014, 86, 8418-8424.
Satterwhite, J. E.; Trumbo, C. M.; Danell, A. S.; Hvastkovs, E. G. "Electrochemical Study on the Effects of Epigenetic Cytosine Methylation on Anti-Benzo[a]pyrene Diol Epoxide Damage at TP53 Oligomers." Analytical Chemistry, 2013, 85, 1183-1191.
Satterwhite, J. E.; Pugh, A. M.; Danell, A. S.; Hvastkovs, E. G. "Electrochemical Detection of anti-Benzo[a]pyrene Diol Epoxide DNA Damage on TP53 Codon 273 Oligomers." Analytical Chemistry, 2011, 83, 3327-3335.
Hvastkovs, E. G.; Buttry, D. A. "Recent Advances in Electrochemical DNA Hybridization Sensors." Analyst, 2010, 135, 1817-1829.
Hvastkovs, E. G.; Buttry, D. A. "Characterization of DNA Mismatch Hybridization via a Redox Active Diviologen Bound in the PNA-DNA Minor Groove." Langmuir, 2009, 25, 3839-3844.
Krishnan, S; Hvastkovs, E. G.; Bajrami, B.; Choudhary, D.; Shenkman, J. B.; Rusling, J. F. "Synergistic Metabolic Toxicity Screening Using Microsome/DNA Electrochemiluminescent Arrays and Nanoreactors." Analytical Chemistry (Cover Article), 2008, 80, 5279-5285.
Rusling, J. F.; Hvastkovs, E. G.; Hull, D.; Schenkman, J. B. "Biochemical Applications of Ultrathin Films of Enzymes, Polyions, and DNA." Chemical Communications (Featured Article), 2008, 141-154.
Bhambani, A.; Chah, S.; Hvastkovs, E. G.; Jensen, G.; Rusling, J. F.; Zare, R. N.; Kumar, C. V. "Folding Control and Unfolding Free Energy of Yeast Iso-1-cytochrome c Bound to Layered Zirconium Phosphate Materials Monitored by Surface Plasmon Resonance." Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2008, 112, 9201-9208.
Bajrami, B.; Hvastkovs, E. G.; Jensen, G.; Schenkman, J. B.; Rusling, J. F. "Enzyme-DNA Biocolloids for DNA Adduct and Reactive Metabolite Detection by Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry." Analytical Chemistry, 2008, 80, 922-932.
So, M.; Hvastkovs, E. G.; Schenkman, J. B.; Rusling, J. F.; "Electrochemical Genotoxic Screening for Arylamines Bioactivated by N-acyltransferase." Analytical Chemistry, 2008, 80, 1192-1200.
Hvastkovs, E. G.; Buttry, D. A. "Electrochemical Detection of DNA Hybridization Detection Via Bis-Intercalation of a Naphthylimide-Functionalized Viologen Dimer." Analytical Chemistry, 2007, 79, 6922-6926.
Hvastkovs, E. G.; So, M.; Krishnan, S.; Bajrami, B.; Tarun, M.; Jansson, I.; Schenkman, J. B.; Rusling, J. F. "Electrochemiluminescent Arrays for Cytochrome P450-Activated Genotoxicity Screening. DNA Damage from Benzo[a]pyrene Metabolites." Analytical Chemistry, 2007, 79, 1897-1906.
Hvastkovs, E. G.; Buttry, D. A. "Minor Groove Binding of a Novel Tetracationic Viologen." Langmuir (Special Edition Electrochemistry Issue), 2006, 22, 10821-10829.