Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Microbiology and Chairman, Division of Biological Sciences A.B. (1956) Boston University, Chemistry M.S. (1959) Northeastern University, Chemistry Sc.D. (1965) University of Amsterdam Member of the Center for Metalloenzyme Studies Office: A220A Life Sciences 400 Biological Sciences Building Contact Phone Number: 542-4620 Lab: A218 Life Sciences / Biol. Science. Lab Phone: 542-1779 / 542-1693 E-mail: dervar@bmb.uga.edu

Research Interests

Nickel is known to be released in blood during heart attacks. It is proposed that nickel is derived from a nickel protein or enzyme in the heart. Nickel proteins are well-known in bacteria-e.g. CO dehydrogenase, hydrogenase, etc., but are unknown in mammals. We have clinical studies confirming the release of nickel in blood from patients undergoing heart attacks-indeed the release appears in the few patients we have encountered to be within a short period. Detection of heart attacks is difficult especially in the early phases. Our intent is to purify a nickel protein, characterize, identify its biological activity and determine its amino acid sequence. Then to establish a diagnostic test utilizing early release of nickel as an invaluable test to detect early signs of heart attacks-clearly a very biomedical problem.