Mark Scialdone Visiting Distinguished Research Professor, Chemistry
Bio
Ph.D. Chemistry, Wayne State University
Postdoctoral Fellow, Colorado State University
M.S. Chemistry, Michigan Technological University
B.S. Chemistry, Michigan Technological University
Areas of Expertise
Organic Synthesis
Natural Product Chemistry
Catalysis
Courses I Teach:
General Chemistry Lab
Organic Chemistry Lab
My teaching and research philosophy builds on the parallels that exist between art and science. Teaching science fundamentals and classics to understand form and function in the world builds a solid, concrete foundation perched on the shoulders of those who came before us. In this way, we in science do have a crystal ball, it's called the scientific literature where we can look into the future by looking into the past. It's there that self-expression of creativity and synthesis of new ideas happen uniquely in a human way based on heuristic experiences and learning to move the current scientific frontier further into the unexplored.
Current Research
Professor Scialdone’s Research
Our research looks to advance the current frontier of phytocannabinoid-inspired compounds as therapeutic agents to treat medical conditions in humans and animals. Currently, we are focusing on these four areas of interest.
- Developing an understanding of the biological activity of the minor isomeric byproducts formed in the acid-catalyzed ring closure of CBD (ACRCC) reaction[1] that are present in Δ8-THC and HHC products that are being produced today intended for human consumption. We’ve reported the initial results looking iso-Δ8-THC isomeric byproduct and are continuing to examine the impact that other byproducts formed in the ACRCC reaction, including iso-Δ4(8)-THC and iso-HHC have in neuronal cell signaling models and assays that include G-protein activation, cAMP accumulation, ERK activation and in beta-arrestin recruitment assays.[2]
- Optimizing a set of conditions in the ACRCC reaction that minimizes unwanted isomeric byproduct formation to produce first the kinetic product Δ9-THC without isomerization to thermodynamic product Δ8-THC. The development of reaction ACRCC conditions that maximizes the conversion, yield and purity of Δ9-THC produced is highly sought after by industry today and will greatly benefit the public in producing clean products, free of isomeric byproducts and other impurities of unknown safety to humans and animals.
- Developing a robust data set that illustrates the impact that hydrogenation as a chemical modification step has on the efficacy and safety of the phytocannabinoids. One such hydrogenated cannabinoid that has attracted a lot of recent attention is hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) currently being produced from Δ8-THC derived from the ACRCC reaction and the possibility of producing HHC from decarboxylation of hexahydrocannabinolic acid (HHCA).[3] This will be accomplished by looking at the impact that the hydrogenation has on neuronal cell signaling models and assays that include cannabinoid receptor binding.
- Exploring a new class of phytocannabinoid derivatives prepared by hydrofluorination of the unsaturated groups (double bonds) present in the natural phytocannabinoids. We have discovered the synthesis of new fluorinated cannabinoid target compounds which can serve as structural probes for the hydrogenated phytocannabinoids in examining the stereoelectronic perturbation that the carbon-fluorine chemical bond exerts over the structural conformation of the compound and how that change in structure impacts cannabinoid receptor binding and activation.[4]
[1] Scialdone M et al The Dark Side of Cannabidiol: The Unanticipated Social and Clinical Implications of Synthetic Δ8-THC. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2023 Apr;8(2):270-282.
[2] Scialdone M et al ∆8-Iso Tetrahydrocannabinol and Neuronal Cell Signaling, ICRS Meeting Toronto, June 2023.
[3] Scialdone M Hydrogenation of Cannabis Oil, US 9694040B2, July 4, 2017 and US 10071127B2, September 11, 2018.
[4] Scialdone M Fluorinated Phytocannabinoids and Compositions Comprising and Methods of Producing and Using Same U.S. Appl. No.: 63/656,191, 2024.
Awards
Award for Excellence and Commitment to Cannabis Chemistry from the American Chemical Society in 2018