You are here: Home > Faculty & Staff

Eddie J. Merino

Assistant Professor
Chemistry - Tenure-Track Faculty
Crosley Tower
513-556-9200
edward.merino@uc.edu
http://homepages.uc.edu/~merinoed/

Professional Summary

Eddie Merino is a chemist with research interests in studying the interplay between oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cancer. After earning an undergraduate degree from the University of San Diego in 2000, he studied under the direction of Dr. Kevin M. Weeks at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. While there, his graduate research focused on DNA biosensors and nucleic acid footprinting methods. He received his PhD from UNC in 2005. He then took a postdoctoral position at the California Institute of Technology working with Professor Jacqueline K. Barton. While in Pasadena, he worked in the area of oxidative stress and the formation of mutations involved in cancers. This background has helped him become an expert at creating nucleic acid damaging agents and elucidiating novel nucleic acid structures that will be used in the fight against cancer. In 2008, he moved to his current position in Cincinnati.

Education

Ph. D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC., 2005 (Bio-organic Chemistry).

B. A., University of San Diego, San Diego, CA., 2000 (Chemistry).

Postdoctoral Scholar, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 2008 (Oxidative DNA Damage).

Research Support

(PI) Mulloy and Merino, A Novel ROS-activated Therapeutic Modality for AML, CCTST. (PCS T1 Pilot for Translational Research); 25000. Date: 05-2013 to 05-2014. Status: Active.

Peer Reviewed Publications

Chamberlin, S. I., Merino, E. J., Weeks, K. M. "Catalysis of amide synthesis by RNA phosphodiester and hydroxyl groups". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (2002), 99, 14688-14693.

Merino, E. J., Weeks, K. M. "Fluorogenic resolution of ligand binding by a nucleic acid aptamer". Journal of the American Chemical Society (2003), 125, 12370-12371.

John, D. M., Merino, E. J., Weeks, K. M. "Mechanics of DNA flexibility visualized by selective 2 ';-amine acylation at nucleotide bulges". Journal of Molecular Biology (2004), 337, 611-619.

Wilkinson, K. A., Merino, E. J., Weeks, K. M. "RNA SHAPE chemistry reveals nonhierarchical interactions dominate equilibrium structural transitions in tRNA(Asp) transcripts". Journal of the American Chemical Society (2005), 127, 4659-4667.

Merino, E. J., Wilkinson, K. A., Coughlan, J. L., Weeks, K. M. "RNA structure analysis at single nucleotide resolution by selective 2 ';-hydroxyl acylation and primer extension (SHAPE)". Journal of the American Chemical Society (2005), 127, 4223-4231.

Merino, E. J., Weeks, K. M. "Facile conversion of aptamers into sensors using a 2 ';-ribose-linked fluorophore". Journal of the American Chemical Society (2005), 127, 12766-12767.

Wilkinson, Kevin A., Merino, Edward J., Weeks, Kevin M. "Selective 2 ';-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension (SHAPE): quantitative RNA structure analysis at single nucleotide resolution". Nature Protocols (2006), 1, 1610-1616.

Augustyn, Katherine E., Merino, Edward J., Barton, Jacqueline K. "A role for DNA-mediated charge transport in regulating p53: Oxidation of the DNA-bound protein from a distance". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (2007), 104, 18907-18912.

Merino, Edward J., Barton, Jacqueline K. "Oxidation by DNA charge transport damages conserved sequence block II, a regulatory element in mitochondrial DNA". Biochemistry (2007), 46, 2805-2811.

Merino, Edward J., Barton, Jacqueline K. "DNA oxidation by charge transport in mitochondria". Biochemistry (2008), 47, 1511-1517.

Merino, Edward J., Boal, Amie K., Barton, Jacqueline K. "Biological contexts for DNA charge transport chemistry". Current opinion in chemical biology (2008), 12, 229-237.

Li G, Bell T, Merino EJ: Oxidatively-activated DNA modifying agents for selective cytotoxicity. ChemMedChem, 2011, 6, 869-875.

Alp O, Merino EJ, Caruso JA: Selenium effects on arsenic cytotoxicity and protein phosphorylation in human kidney cells using nanoLC-MS. Metallomics 2011, 3, 482-190.

Biologically relevant oxidants cause bound proteins to readily oxidatively cross-link at Guanine. Solivio MJ, Nemera DB, Sallans L, Merino EJ. Chem Res Toxicol. 2012 Feb 20;25(2):326-36

Novel oxidatively activated agents modify DNA and are enhanced by ercc1 silencing. Jones AR, Bell-Horwath TR, Li G, Rollmann SM, Merino EJ. Chem Res Toxicol. 2012 Nov 19;25(11):2542-52.

Under Review Publications

Novel ROS-activated agents utilize a tethered amine to selectively target acute myeloid leukemia cells." Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters

Identification of selenium-containing proteins in HEK 293 kidney cells using multiple chromatographies, LC-ICPMS and nano-LC-ESIMS, Talanta.

Studies of Cell Signaling, Reactive Oxygen Species and Cytotoxicities Allow Enhanced olecular Level Understanding of Selenium Mediated Arsenic Toxicity. Metallomics, Accepted w/revision

Book Chapters

Namera D, Jones A, Merino, E.J: Chapter 4 ROS-induced DNA damage in "The
Molecular Basis of Oxidative Stress: Chemistry, Mechanisms, and Disease Pathogenesis";Frederick A. Villamena. Editor. John Wiley and Sons

In Press

Alp, Orkun, Merino, Edward J, & Caruso, Joseph A (2010). Arsenic-induced protein phosphorylation changes in HeLa cells. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry, 398(5), 2099-107.

Merino, Edward J, Davis, Molly L, & Barton, Jacqueline K (2009). Common mitochondrial DNA mutations generated through DNA-mediated charge transport. Biochemistry, 48(4), 660-6.

Merino, Edward J, Boal, Amie K, & Barton, Jacqueline K (2008). Biological contexts for DNA charge transport chemistry. Current opinion in chemical biology, 12(2), 229-37.

Merino, Edward J, & Barton, Jacqueline K (2008). DNA oxidation by charge transport in mitochondria. Biochemistry, 47(6), 1511-7.

Augustyn, Katherine E, Merino, Edward J, & Barton, Jacqueline K (2007). A role for DNA-mediated charge transport in regulating p53: Oxidation of the DNA-bound protein from a distance. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 104(48), 18907-12.

Merino, Edward J, & Barton, Jacqueline K (2007). Oxidation by DNA charge transport damages conserved sequence block II, a regulatory element in mitochondrial DNA. Biochemistry, 46(10), 2805-11.

Wilkinson, Kevin A, Merino, Edward J, & Weeks, Kevin M (2006). Selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension (SHAPE): quantitative RNA structure analysis at single nucleotide resolution. Nature protocols, 1(3), 1610-6.

Merino, Edward J, & Weeks, Kevin M (2005). Facile conversion of aptamers into sensors using a 2'-ribose-linked fluorophore. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 127(37), 12766-7.

Wilkinson, Kevin A, Merino, Edward J, & Weeks, Kevin M (2005). RNA SHAPE chemistry reveals nonhierarchical interactions dominate equilibrium structural transitions in tRNA(Asp) transcripts. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 127(13), 4659-67.

Merino, Edward J, Wilkinson, Kevin A, Coughlan, Jennifer L, & Weeks, Kevin M (2005). RNA structure analysis at single nucleotide resolution by selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation and primer extension (SHAPE). Journal of the American Chemical Society, 127(12), 4223-31.

John, Deborah M, Merino, Edward J, & Weeks, Kevin M (2004). Mechanics of DNA flexibility visualized by selective 2'-amine acylation at nucleotide bulges. Journal of molecular biology, 337(3), 611-9.

Merino, Edward J, & Weeks, Kevin M (2003). Fluorogenic resolution of ligand binding by a nucleic acid aptamer. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 125(41), 12370-1.

Chamberlin, Stacy I, Merino, Edward J, & Weeks, Kevin M (2002). Catalysis of amide synthesis by RNA phosphodiester and hydroxyl groups. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 99(23), 14688-93.

Invited Presentations

EJ Merino (2012). Oxidative Cross-links: Bulky DNA Lesions. Chem. Dept., Bowling Green State.

EJ Merino (2012). ROS-Activated DNA Modifying Agents. Vilanova Univ., Philly, PA.

EJ Merino (2012). ROS-based DNA modification. philly, PA

EJ Merino (2012). Oxidative Cross-Links: rare or common?. Conf. for JK Barton, pasadena, ca.

EJ Merino (2012). Oxidation of DNA forms Cross-Links. Hayward, CA.

EJ Merino (2012). ROS activation as a pro-drug strategy. ACS Natl Meeting, Orange, CA.

Edward Merino and Edna S Kaneshiro (2012). Recriutment of Minorities to UC Science PhD Programs. San Jose, CA.

Poster Presentations

Merino EJ (05-2011). ID of DNA-protein crosslinks using LTQ-MS. Bioorganic GRC, Maine.

EJ Merino (2012). Cross-Linking induced by ROS. , Ventura, CA.

EJ Merino (2012). ROS-induced DNA modification as an anti-cancer strategy. , ACS Regional Meeting.

Dessalegn B. Nemera,* Morwena Jane V. Solivio and Edward J. Merino. (2012). Characterization of 2’-deoxyguanosine Oxidation Products and Oxidative DNAProtein Cross-links. Ralph and Helen Oesper Poster Session and Symposium,, UC.

Morwena J. Solivio, Brittany L. Catron, Larry Sallans, Joseph A. Caruso, Patrick A. Limbach, Edward J. Merino. (2012). Mass Spectrometry-Based Characterization of DNAProtein Cross-links in Model Systems. 11th European Conference in Computational Biology, Basel, Switzerland.

Larry Sallans,* Morwena J. Solivio, Dessalegn B. Nemera, Stephen F. Macha, Edward J. Merino. (). Characterization of Oxidative DNA-Protein Crosslinking at Guanine by Mass Spectrometry. 60th ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, Vancouver, BC, Canada,.

Richard Ballweg,* Morwena J. Solivio, Edward J. Merino. (2012). Investigation of Superoxide-Induced Cross-linking of Lysine and Tyrosine with Guanine. 14th Annual Midwest DNA Repair Symposium, Cincinnati, OH.

Dessalegn B. Nemera, Morwena J. Solivio, Edward J. Merino. (2012). Rapid Isolation and Characterization of Ribonuclease A Cross-linked to DNA. Midwest DNA Repair Symposium, UC.

Morwena J. Solivio,* Dessalegn B. Nemera, Larry Sallans, Edward J. Merino. (). Utilizing Model Systems to Unravel the Secrets of Oxidative DNA-Protein Crosslinks. UC Graduate Poster Forum, .

Morwena J. Solivio and Edward J. Merino. (2012). STUDENT TALK: Biologically Relevant Oxidants Cause Bound Proteins to Readily Oxidatively Cross-link at Guanine. DNA Repair Conf., .

Tiffany R. Bell-Horwath,* Amy R. Jones, Stephanie M. Rollmann, Edward J. Merino (). Novel Anticancer Agents Modify DNA and are Sensitive to Ercc1 Expression. Gordon Research Conference , Rhode Island.

Tiffany R. Bell-Horwath, Edward J. Merino (2012). New Anticancer Agents Demonstrate a Novel Mechanism of Action. DNA Repair, Cincinnati, OH.

Fathima Shazna Thowfeik,* Edward J. Merino (). Transcriptome profiling of an oxidatively-activated agent . DNA Repair Conf. , Cincinnati, OH.

Patents & Inventions

Methods of Identifying and Administering Hydroquinone-based Alkylating Agents for the Treatment of Cancer. Merino EJ.

Issue Date: 03/01/2012. ROS-Caging is a Selective Anticancer Strategy That Targets Leukemia. EJ Merino (75%).

Service

Committee Member, URC Life Science Grant Review Member and Chair, 09-2012 to 12-2012.

Committee Chair, Organized Chemistry Department Winter Party Morale Committee, 2012 to 2012.

Courses Taught

15-CHEM-214 BIO-ORGANIC LAB.

15-CHEM-611 BIOCHEMISTRY LAB.

15-CHEM-421 INTRO TO BIOCHEM .

Additional Information

Award by my students:

Morwena Solivio

Ann P. Villalobos Fellowship Award for an Outstanding Performance by a
Graduate Student, University of Cincinnati, September-December 2012

Selected for oral presentation at DNA Repair Conf. Talk in front of 250+ scientists.

Tiffany Bell
American Chemical Society Award for Women in Science

Henry Hochstetter Award for Excellence in Teaching

URC Summer Research Grant

Fathima Shazna Thowfeik

Henry Hochstetter Prize for excellence as Graduate Teaching Assistant

Robert M. Koppenhoefer Research Associate Award to an outstanding first-year graduate student in Biochemistry, 2012