Dr. Ogan Gurel will present on "Protein Electrodynamics & Terahertz Medicine: A New Frontier?". Proteins exhibit dynamic behavior with vibrations at terahertz frequencies that are essential to their function. These vibrations interact with electromagnetic radiation in the terahertz band, as confirmed by experiments showing specific absorption of terahertz radiation by met-hemoglobin. This suggests terahertz molecular medical imaging and manipulation of protein motions for new therapies. Dr. Gurel is a director at Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology with experience in biomedicine, biophysics, and computer science.

1. ORC Seminar Series Presents:
“Protein Electrodynamics & Terahertz
Medicine: A New Frontier?”
Dr Ogan Gurel, M.D.
Samsung Advanced Ins tute of Technology
Date: Monday 3rd December 2012
Time: 16:15‐17:30
Venue: Building 53, Room 4025
Abstract:
It is well known that proteins exhibit dynamic behavior with their normal modes specifically vibra ng at
terahertz frequencies. These mo ons are essen al to protein func on and because these macromolecules
are charged the existence of such vibra ons suggest the possibility of specific interac on with
electromagne c radia on in the terahertz band. A me‐domain spectroscopic experiment was performed
confirming specific absorp on of terahertz radia on (~0.8THz and 1.3THz) by met‐hemoglobin. This proof‐
of‐concept result suggests that these protein spectroscopic signatures can serve as the basis of a novel
form of molecular medical imaging; likewise terahertz‐modulated manipula on of such mo ons may
underlie new forms of therapy.
Biography:
Dr. Gurel is a Director in the MOT Research Center / CTO Office at the Samsung Advanced Ins tute of
Technology (SAIT), and Visi ng Professor at the Samsung Advanced Ins tute for Health Sciences and
Technology (SAIHST) of SungKyunKwan University. Previously VP & Medical Director at the healthcare
consultancy Sg2 and an Associate at Booz, Allen & Hamilton, he consulted for both large and small clients
spanning the healthcare services, health insurance, biopharma and medical device sectors. In addi on to
holding an M.D. (Alpha Omega Alpha) from the Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, Dr.
Gurel has deep experience in the biomedical sciences holding a B.A. cum laude in Biochemical Sciences
from Harvard University where he conducted research in Prof. Mar n Karplus’ lab on DNA structure
combining molecular dynamics simula on with NMR (Nuclear Overhauser effect) experimental data. A er
Harvard, he served as a Visi ng Researcher at the Ins tut Laue‐Langevin in Grenoble, conduc ng neutron
diffrac on‐based analyses (selec ve deutera on) of membrane protein structure in Prof. Guiseppe
Zaccai’s group. Dr. Gurel also holds an M.Phil degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics from
Columbia University working with Prof. Wayne Hendrickson researching x‐ray crystallographic structural
studies of cytokines. Addi onally, he has conducted research in computer science, winning 3rd place in
the na onal Wes nghouse (now Intel) Science Talent Search for work on microprocessor so ware
development systems, followed by robot programming systems work at the IBM T.J. Watson Research
Center (with Dr. Russell Taylor, now at Johns Hopkins) and at Harvard’s Aiken Computa on Laboratory
(with the late Prof. Thomas E. Cheatham). Dr. Gurel has taught a number of subjects ‐
cellular and molecular biology, neuroanatomy, bioinforma cs and mathema cal
modeling ‐ at several universi es including the Columbia University College of
Physicians & Surgeons, Roosevelt University, and the Harvard Medical School.
h p://www.orc.soton.ac.uk/events.html