Research Area

The Waite group has previously shown that L-dopa (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) is likely to oxidize to form a tautomer of Dopa-quinone (α,β- dehydro-Dopa). I am characterizing the properties of this oxidation product by comparing two model compounds. I use cyclic voltammetry to determine the reactivity of the compounds with cysteine, and MTS to determine the strength of adhesives created with them. This research provides insight into the effect of α,β-dehydro-Dopa on adhesion in mussels.