The UPEI Department of Chemistry invites the campus community to a research seminar by Dr. Jacob Walsh, Postdoctoral Fellow, McMaster University, who will present "Combating Pathogens with Natural Product Discovery Methods and Applications." Dr. Walsh is a candidate for a tenure-track position in natural products chemistry.

Abstract: We live in a world ruled by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, who control and interact with the world around them using small-molecule natural products. These microorganisms occasionally cause problems for human health and food sustainability in the form of pathogens. Focusing on agricultural pathogens, this talk will outline the development and application of various techniques such as gene cluster screening, mass spectrometry, and biochemistry to identify natural products as virulence factors and pursue these key molecules to slow or prevent the pathogenicity of the microorganism. Five major projects will be presented displaying the study of natural products and future directions of agriculture disease control. 

Everyone is welcome.