Dr. Swapan K. Chaudhuri joined the Florida Natural Products Laboratory of the Walker Cancer Research Institute, Inc. in 1996. He came to the WCRI, Inc. from Cornell University - the faculty of the Department of Plant Breeding and Biometry. Previously, Dr. Chaudhuri collaborated with Drs. M. E. Wall and M. C. Wani (Discovers of Taxol) at the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) at North Carolina. Dr. Chaudhuri was also on the faculty of the College of Natural Sciences, University of California, Berkeley; University of Rhode Island, Department of Pharmacognosy and San Jose State University, Department of Chemistry.

In November 2001 he left his position with WCRI, but still keeps a professional relation with the Institute, as a Consultant.
 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

 Among the natural products, plants possess great chemical versatility. Because of ecological necessity, the variety of secondary metabolites produced by plants is broader than those of other organisms. Plant derived pharmaceuticals and phytochemicals retain their historic significance in the drug industry. Such materials are being used in the treatment and prevention of many human diseases s. A substantial portion of all the currently prescribed drugs are still derived directly or indirectly from plant sources. Many new potent drugs with novel structural features have been isolated. For example, the potent anti-tumor drug, Taxol from pacific yew tree (Taxus brevifolia), provides considerable effectiveness in the treatment of ovarian carcinoma. The study of natural products, not only provides us with novel bioactive compounds, but it lead to the understanding of natural process of great importance.

Dr Chaudhuri's main area of research is Natural Products Chemistry. Here, at the Walker Cancer Research Institute (WCRI), his primary interest on cancer research is to explore the native plants of Florida and the surrounding region for potential sources of therapeutic agents which may have action for the remission of toxicological or carcinogenic problems of human health. Thus, a purpose oriented systematic search for bioactive compounds from Floridian plant, Licania michauxii Prance (Chrysobalanaceae) in this laboratory has resulted in the isolation of two novel ent-kaurane diterpenoids. Dr. Chaudhuri's extensive research experience on various bioactive natural products as well as 13C- and 2D-NMR studies is utilized to elucidate the molecular structure of two ent-kaurenoids. One of the diterpenoids was found to be cytotoxic to cultured human hepatoma (HepG2) and colon carcinoma (Caco-2) cells, respectively. Previously, WCRI investigated the methanolic extract of the roots of the aforesaid plant showed cytotoxicity against cultured human hepatoma (HepG2) and colon carcinoma (Caco-2) cells as well as inducing effect on heat shock protein (hsp) 70 mRNA (Cancer Letters, 149, 61, 2000).  
 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1996 to date. Research Scientist, Walker Cancer Research Institute Inc., Natural Products Laboratory, Tallahassee, Florida. Involved in cancer research- extraction, isolation, purification, structure elucidation and bioassay of plant derived antitumor and anticancer agents.

1994 to 1996. Research Associate, Department of Plant Breeding and Biometry, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Involved in the project- Chemical basis for host recognition by the parasitic plant Orobanche.

1993 to 1994. Post-doctoral Chemist, Chemistry and Life Sciences, Research Triangle Institute, Natural Products Group, North Carolina. Involved in plant antitumor and antimutagent projects.

1990 to 1993. Post-doctoral fellow, College of Natural Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, California. Involved in bioassay directed isolation and characterization of antimicrobial agents, insect growth inhibitors, tyrosinase inhibitor, cytotoxic and antioxidative compounds from medicinal plants.

1989 to 1990. Post-doctoral fellow, Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island and Department of Chemistry, San Jose State University, San Jose, California. Involved in the project- Investigation of the enzymatic basis of biological halogenation.

1980 to 1989. Doctoral and post-doctoral student, Department of Chemistry, University of Calcutta, Calcutta, India. Involved in isolation and characterization of various natural products, their transformation and semi-synthetic studies. 13C NMR, including 2D NMR, was used extensively in structure elucidation work.
 

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Natural Products Chemistry, University of Calcutta, Calcutta, India (1988). Title of the Ph.D. Thesis- Studies on Polycyclic Compounds.

 M.Sc., Organic Chemistry, University of Calcutta, Calcutta, India (1978).

 B.Sc., Chemistry(Honours), University of Calcutta, Calcutta, India (1976).
 

AWARD

Nagarjune Prize in Chemistry, University of Calcutta, Calcutta, India (1988). Title of the Nagarjune prize Thesis- Studies on Seco-friedelanes.
 

PUBLICATIONS

Licania michauxii Prance root extract induces hsp 70 mRNA and necrotic cell death in cultured human hepatoma And colon carcinoma cell lines. R. B. Babu, S. K. Chaudhuri, E. Pilarinou, N. J. Rutkoski, J. H. Hare, C. W. Levenson, Cancer Letters, 149, 61(2000).

Flavonols from Heterotheca inuloides: Tyrosinase inhibitory activity and structural criteria, I. Kubo, I. K-Hori, S. K. Chaudhuri, Y. Kubo, Y. Yolanda and T. Ogura, Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett.(in press).

A Xanthone from Clusia insignis, K. Ishiguro, S. K. Chaudhuri and I. Kubo, Phytochemistry, 49, 2531(1998).

Cytotoxic and antioxidative sesquiterpenoids from Heterotheca inuloides, I.Kubo,S. K. Chaudhuri, Y. Kubo, Y.Sanchez, T.Ogura, T.Saito, H.Ishikawa and H.Haraguchi, Planta Medica, 62,427(1996).

Two isoflavones from the bark of Petalostemon purpurea, S.K.Chaudhuri, F.Fullas, M. C. Wani, M. E. Wall, J.C.Tucker, C.W.W.Beecher and A.D.Kinghorn, Phytochemistry, 41,945(1996).

Isolation and structure identification of an active DNA strand-scission agent,(+)-3,4-Dihydroxy-8,9 Methylenedioxypterocarpan, S. K. Chaudhuri, L. Huang, F. Fullas, D. M. Brown, M. C. Wani, M. E. Wall, J. C. Tucker, C. W. W. Beecher and A. D. Kinghorn, Journal of Natural Products, 58,1966(1995).

Isolation and structure elucidation of pentacyclic triterpenoids from Maprounea africana, S. K. Chaudhuri, F.Fullas,D.M.Brown,M.C.Wani,M.E.Wall,L.Cai,W.Mar,Y.Luo,K.Zaw, H.H.S.Fong, J.M.Pezzuto and A. D. Kinghorn, Journal of Natural Products, 58,1(1995).

A plant growth inhibitory sesquiterpenoid from Heterotheca inuloides, I. Kubo, K. Ishiguro, S. K. Chaudhuri, Y.Kubo,Y.Sanchez and T.Ogura, Phytochemistry, 38,553(1995).

Structure of Maesaquinone, I. Kubo and S.K.Chaudhuri, Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 4,1131(1994).

Antimicrobial agents from Heterotheca inuloides, I.Kubo,H.Muroi, A. Kubo, S.K.Chaudhuri,Y.Sanchez and T.Ogura, Planta Medica,60,218(1994).

Tyrosinase inhibitory flavonoids and their structural functions from Heterotheca inuloides, I.Kubo, I.Kinst Hori, K.Ishiguro,S.K.Chaudhuri,Y.Sanchez and T.Ogura, Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 4,1443(1994).

A Quassinoid glucoside from the bark of Castela tortuosa,I.Kubo and S.K.Chaudhuri, Phytochemistry, 32,215(1993).

Castelalin,a quassinoid from Castela tortuosa, I.Kubo,Y.Murai and S.K.Chaudhuri, Phytochemistry, 33,461(1993).

Quantification of insect growth and its use in the screening of naturally occuring insect control agents, M.Zang, S.K.Chaudhuri and I.Kubo, J. Chem. Ecol., 19,1107(1993).

Two Quassinoid glucosides from Castela tortuosa, S.K.Chaudhuri and I.Kubo, Phytochemistry, 31,3961(1992).

Structure of Chaparramarin, I.Kubo,Y.Murai and S.K.Chaudhuri, Phytochemistry, 31,3262(1992).

Isolation of a Bioactive sterol from a sea pen, Pteroides esperi, P.K.Dutta, A.K.Roy, A.K.Barua, S.K.Chaudhuri and A.Patra, Journal of Natural Products, 53,1347(1990).

Applications of Two Dimensional NMR Spectral Assignments of some friedelanes and seco-friedelanes, A.Patra, S. K. Chaudhuri and A. K. Acharya, Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry, 28,85(1990).

Complete 13C and 1H spectral assignments of Friedelin by INADEQUATE and Heteronuclear(13C - 1H)correlation experiments, A. Patra, S K. Chaudhuri and H. Ruegger, J. Indian Chem. Soc., 67, 394(1990).

Studies on Triterpenoids: Conversion of friedelanones into some seco-friedelanes, A.Patra and S.K.Chaudhuri, Indian Journal of Chemistry, 28B,376(1989).

Betulin-3-caffeate from Quercus suber. 13C-NMR spectra of some Lupenes. A.Patra, S.K.Chaudhuri and S.K.Panda, Journal of Natural Products, 51,217(1988).

Constituents of Limonia acidissima. Applications of Two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy in structure elucidation. A.Patra, S. K.Misra and S. K. Chaudhuri, J. Indian Chem. Soc.,LXV,205(1988).

Studies on Triterpenoids: Treatment of 3-Acetylbetulinic acid with m-chloroperbenzoic acid and sulfuric acid, A.Patra and S.K.Chaudhuri, Indian Journal of Chemistry, 27B,170(1988).

Fridelanes of Quercus suber Linn: Behavior of Cerin,its acetate and other related Triterpenoids towards Silica gel and Alumina,A.Patra and S.K.Chaudhuri, Indian Journal of Chemistry, 27B,1152(1988).

Chemical constituents of Impatiens balsamina Linn, A.Patra and S.K.Chaudhuri, J. Indian Chem. Soc., LXV,367(1988).

Assignment of Carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectra of some Friedelanes, A.Patra and S. K. Chaudhuri, Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry, 25,95(1987).

Cytotoxic compounds from Castela tortuosa, S. K.Chaudhuri and I. Kubo(in prep.)

Cytotoxic flavanoids from Elaendendron buchgnanii, S.K.Chaudhuri and I.Kubo(in prep.)

Isolation and structure activity study: A first natural host germination stimulant for Orobanche,S.K.Chaudhuri and J. C. Steffens(in prep.)

Licamichauxiin A and B - Two new kaurene diterpenoids from the roots of Licania michauxii prance, S. K. Chaudhuri, R. B. Badisa, E. Pilarinou and E. H. Walker (in prep.)

Pharmacological activities of crude extracts from Argyranthemum Sp., M. Couladis, R. B. Badisa, S. K. Chaudhuri, C. Sanders, E. Pilarinou, J. Francisco-Ortega, A. Santos - Guerra and C. Harvala (in prep.)

Bioactivities of Hyperricum species in the brine shrimp lethality test and in vitro antioxidant assay, M. Kouladis, R. B. Badisa, P. Baziou, S. K. Chaudhuri, E. Pilarinou, E. Verykokidou, and C. Harvala. (in prep.)
 

PRESENTATIONS

Licamichauxiin A and B - two new kaurene diterpenoids from the root of Licania michauxii Prance, S. K. Chaudhuri, R. B. Badisa, C. W. Levenson, E. Pilarinou and E. H. Walker, 41th Annual meeting of the American Society of Pharmacognosy in Seattle, Washington, July 22-26, 2000.

Bioactivities of Hyperricum species in the brine shrimp lethality test and in vitro antioxidant assay, M. Kouladis, R. B. Badisa, P. Baziou, S. K. Chaudhuri, E. Pilarinou, E. Verykokidou, and C. Harvala, 3rd International Congress on Phytomedicine, Munich, Germany, October 11 - 13, 2000 (accepted).

Pentacyclic triterpenoids from Maprounia africana as potential inhibitors of chemical carcinogenesis, S. K. Chaudhuri, F.Fullas,D.M.Brown,M.C.Wani,M.E.Wall, L.Cai,W.Mar, Y.Luo, K.Zaw, H.H.S.Fong, J.M.Pezzuto and A. D. Kinghorn, 35th Annual meeting of the American Society of Pharmacognosy in Halifax,Nova Scotia,Canada, July 31 -August 4,1994.

Insect growth inhibitory Quassinoids from Castela tortuosa, S.K.Chaudhuri,Y.Murai and I.Kubo,203rd American Chemical Society National Meeting in San Francisco, California, April,1992.

Study on the Chemistry of some fridelanes,A.Patra,S.K.Chaudhuri and S.K.Panda,26th Annual Convention of Chemist, Indore, India, 1990.