Derek Pratt
| Phone: | 613-562-5800 x 2119 |
| Email: | dpratt@uOttawa.ca |
| Office: | University of Ottawa |
| Website: | Browse |
Research: Dr. Pratt is a Canada Research Chair in Free Radical Chemistry. His research focuses on the chemistry of reactions believed to be at the root of the onset and development of degenerative diseases, such as atherosclerosis (heart disease), neurodegenerative disease (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s) and cancer. In particular, he is interested in the free radical oxidation of lipids, and the subsequent transformation of the lipid oxidation products to toxic small molecules. In parallel, his group studies the role of natural products believed capable of slowing these processes down (antioxidants) and also works to design and synthesize new compounds with improved efficacies. In fact, they have developed the most effective radical-trapping antioxidants known! The group is also interested in how Nature uses protein-derived and/or co-factor-derived radicals to catalyze reactions and carry out the energy conversion processes essential to life.