UMDNJ-Rutgers University
CounterACT Research
Center of Excellence

Designing therapies to counteract chemical terrorism.

 

Diane E. Heck , Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Department of Pharmaceutics
Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
Rutgers University

Email: dheck@rci.rutgers.edu
Room: 447 EOHSI
Phone: 732-445-0219
Fax: 732-445-0119

B.S. Studio Art, Douglass College
Ph.D. Pharmacology & Toxicology, Rutgers University
Postdoctoral, Toxicology, Rutgers University

Investigator, UMDNJ-Rutgers University CounterACT Center of Excellence

 

Research Interests:

The central focus of research in her laboratory is the cellular and molecular biology of reactive intermediates. Among the ongoing studies are projects on the roles of reactive mediator-synthesizing enzymes, their substrates, and small molecule inhibitors, in carcinogenesis and its prevention; reactive oxygen intermediates in evolution; and reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates and their regulation in degenerative processes and cell death.

 

 

Recent Publications:

Rozanova N, Zhang JZ, and Heck DE. Catalytic therapy of cancer with porphyrins and ascorbate. Cancer Letters, in press.

Gray JP, Heck DE, Mishin V, Smith PJS, Hong JY, Thiruchelvam M, Cory-Slechta DA, Laskin DL, and Laskin JD. Paraquat increases cyanide-insensitive respiration in murine lung epithelial cells by activating an NAD(P)H: Paraquat Oxidoreductase: Identification of the enzyme as thioredoxin reductase. (2007) J Biol Chem, epub ahead of print. [abstract]

Martey CA, Vetrano AM, Whittemore MS, Mariano TM, Heck DE, Laskin DL, Heindel ND, Laskin JD. Inhibition of interferon-gamma signaling by a mercurio-substituted dihydropsoralen in murine keratinocytes. (2005) Biochem Pharmacol, 70 (12): 1726-1734. [abstract]

Vetrano AM, Heck DE, Mariano TM, Mishin V, Laskin DL, Laskin JD. Characterization of the oxidase activity in mammalian catalase. (2005) J Biol chem, 280 (42): 35372-35381. [abstract]

Weinberger B, Hanna N, Laskin JD, Heck DE, Gardner CR, Gerecke DR, Laskin DL. Mechanisms mediating the biologic activity of synthetic proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline polypeptides in human neutrophils. (2005) Mediators Inflamm, 2005 (1): 31-38. [abstract]

Heck DE, Kagan VE, Shvedova AA, Laskin JD. An epigrammatic (abridged) recounting of the myriad tales of astonishing deeds and dire consequences pertaining to nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species in mitochondria with an ancillary missive concerning the origins of apoptosis. (2005) Toxicology, 208 (2): 259-271. [abstract]

Heck DE, Gerecke DR, Vetrano AM, and Laskin JD. Solar ultraviolet radiation as a trigger of cell signal transduction. (2004) Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 195:288-297. [abstract]

Patents:

US patent #7,150,967,  December 19, 2006, Laskin JD, Martey C, Heindel ND, Whittemore M, and Heck DE (2006) Fluorescent tags for amino acid and nucleic acid analysis. University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (New Brunswick, NJ), Rutgers, the State University (New Brunswick, NJ), Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA), Buckman Laboratories International, Inc. (Memphis, TN) [abstract]

US patent #7,105,511, September 12, 2006, Laskin JD, Heindel N, Heck DE, Vetrano AM, Guillon C, and DeMatteo P (2006) Fluorescent fused-ring triazoles that inhibit cell proliferation and uses thereof. University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (New Brunswick, NJ), Rutgers, the State University (New Brunswick, NJ), Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA) USA [abstract]

US patent #7,015,022, March 21, 2006, Laskin JD, Vetrano AM, and Heck DE (2006) Mammalian catalase-dependent oxidation processes and methods for stimulating oxidative activities. University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (New Brunswick, NJ) [abstract]

US patent #6,255,324, July 3, 2001, Heindel ND, Laskin JD, Heck DE, Rapp RD, Whittemore MS, McNeel TE, and Jabin I. (2001) Amino-and mercurio-substituted 4',5'-dihydropsoralens and therapeutical uses thereof. [abstract]

US patent #6,177,424, January 23, 2001, Heindel ND, Laskin JD, Whittemore MS, McNeel TE, Guillon C, Heck DE, and Rapp RD. (2001) 4'-Substituted-4',5'-dihydropsoralens and therapeutical uses thereof. [abstract]

US patent #5,695,761, December 9, 1997, Denhardt DT, Hwang S-M, Heck DE, Lopez CA, Laskin DL, and Laskin JD. (1997) Suppression of nitric oxide production by osteopontin. Rutgers University (Piscataway, NJ), University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ (Newark, NJ). [abstract]

 

Copyright © 2006 Joshua P. Gray