Patrick McLaurin

Dr. Patrick McLaurin


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

9Years (2018-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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6 May 2018 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ETErico Souza Teixeira
Erico Souza Teixeira
KUKarthik Uppulury
Karthik Uppulury
APAustin J. Privett
Austin J. Privett
CSChristopera Stopera
Christopera Stopera
PMPatrick McLaurin
Patrick McLaurin
Jorge A. MoralesJorge A. Morales
Jorge A. Morales
Proton cancer therapy (PCT) utilizes high-energy proton projectiles to obliterate cancerous tumors with low damage to healthy tissues and without the side effects of X-ray therapy. The healing action of the protons results from their damage on cancerous cell DNA. Despite established clinical use, the chemical mechanisms of PCT reactions at the molecular level remain elusive. This situation prevents a rational design of PCT that can maximize its therapeutic power and minimize its side effects. The incomplete characterization of PCT reactions is partially due to the health risks associated with experimental/clinical techniques applied to human subjects. To overcome this situation, we are conducting time-dependent and non-adiabatic computer simulations of PCT reactions with the electron nuclear dynamics (END) method. Herein, we present a review of our previous and new END research on three fundamental types of PCT reactions: water radiolysis reactions, proton-induced DNA damage and electron-induced DNA damage. These studies are performed on the computational prototypes: proton + H2O clusters, proton + DNA/RNA bases and + cytosine nucleotide, and electron + cytosine nucleotide + H2O. These simulations provide chemical mechanisms and dynamical properties of the selected PCT reactions in comparison with available experimental and alternative computational results.