S A R A T H P . G U N A S E K E R A , P h . D .
s g u n a s e k e r a @ h b o i . e d u
( U n i v e r s i t y o f S r i L a n k a , 1 9 7 6 - N a t u r a l P r o d u c t s C h e m i s t r y )
G r o u p L e a d e r - C h e m i s t r y
D i v i s i o n o f B i o m e d i c a l M a r i n e R e s e a r c h ( D B M R )
H a r b o r B r a n c h O c e a n o g r a p h i c I n s t i t u t i o n
Research interests include marine natural product chemistry with an emphasis on biologically
active compounds having potential medicinal value. Current research focuses on the discovery of
anti-tumor and antimicrobial bioactive compounds from sponges and deep-water microorganisms, and
semi-synthesis of anti-tumor compounds for structure-activity relationship studies. Specifically,
interested in anticancer agent discodermolide for structure activity relationship studies, and
also, the use of high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance techniques for structure analysis.
Selected Publications:
Gunasekera, Sarath P. and Amy E. Wright, 2005. Chemistry and Biology of Discodermolide, Potent
Mitotic Spindle Poisons. In Antitumor Agents from Natural Products. Editors: Gordon M. Cragg,
David G. I. Kingston, and David J. Newman. Boca Raton, Taylor and Francis, c2005. pp. 171-189.
Mayer, Alejandro, M. S., A. M. S., Hall, M. L., Lynch, S. M., Gunasekera, S., Sennett S. H. and
Pomponi, S. A. Differential modulation of microglia superoxide anion and thromboxane B2 generation
by the marine manzamines, BMC Pharmacology 2005, 5, 6- 20.
Gunasekera, S. P., S. J. Mickel, R, Daeffler, D. Niederer, A. E. Wright, P. Lingley and T. Pitts.
Synthetic Analogues of microtubule stabilizing Agent Discodermolide: Preparation and Biological
Activity. J. Nat. Prod., 2004, 67, 749-756.
Gunasekera, S. P., R. A. Isbrucker, R. E. Longley, A. E. Wright, S. A. Pomponi and Reed, J. K..
Plakolide A, A New γ-Lactone from the Marine Sponge Plakortis sp. J. Nat. Prod, 2004, 67, 110-111.
Cohen, J., G. K. Paul, S. P. Gunasekera, R. E. Longley and S. A. Pomponi.
6-Hydroxydiscodermindole, A New Analogue of Discodermindole from the Marine Sponge Discodermia
polydiscus, Pharmaceutical Biol. 2004, 42, 59-61.
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