Matthew Hecker

2018 REU Student Profile

Matthew is a chemistry major at Hiram University. He is working with Professor Addepalli.

Matthew came from Hiram University to study with Dr. Balu Addepali

My research focuses on the genotoxic effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on both cellular DNA and RNA. The solar UV radiation that reaches earth’s surface mainly consists of UVA and UVB. For my work, I will expose DNA and RNA samples to UVB and quantify the type of inflicted damage on these two types of Nucleic acids. In order to examine the specific changes in the DNA and RNA test subjects, I will utilize liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry as an analytical tool. By examining these results, it would be possible to investigate the similarities and differences associated with the mechanistic interactions of UVB on DNA and RNA.

- Matthew Hecker

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