Herbert H. Seltzman
Research Interests
- Organic and medicinal chemistry
- Drug design
- Cannabinoid/endocannabinoid chemistry and pharmacology
- CB1/CB2/GPR35/55 receptor characterization
- Neuropathic pain
- Liver fibrosis
- Catalytic artificial enzymes / nerve agent scavengers
- Anticancer retinoids, heterocycles, carbocycles, nucleosides, peptides
- Peptide sweeteners
- Steroid synthesis and design
- Radiolabeled synthesis and method development
- Immunoassay hapten and radioligand design & synthesis
- Mass labeling including oxygen-18 perfluorinated environmental pollutants
Biography
Herb Seltzman, PhD, received his doctorate under the direction of Dr. T. M. Chapman from the University of Pittsburgh studying peptide synthesis method development applied to peptide hormones. As a chemist at the New York University Medical Center under Dr. B. L. Van Duuren, he worked on the synthesis of modified, mutagenic acridine dyes, and subsequent studies of their interaction with DNA to elucidate mechanisms of chemical carcinogenesis. He also served as a consultant for Mylan Pharmaceutical concerning the plant scale synthesis of d propoxyphene (Darvon). After joining RTI in 1973, he conducted research on novel steroid contraceptive agents. For the past 30 years, he has been involved in numerous contract and grant research programs in cannabinoids for the National Institute on Drug Abuse and in the development of anticancer drugs for the National Cancer Institute. Other programs include the development of artificial sweeteners, catalytic enzyme mimics, and methods for radio- and mass-labeling compounds.
Education
PhD, Organic Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh; BA, Chemistry, City University of New York, Hunter College