Professor of Chemistry

Contact

Department of Chemistry

(503) 838-8644 | e-mail: flattp@wou.edu | DFSC 209

Vitae:

Appointments:

  • Willamette Promise Chemistry Coordinator (2015 – present)
  • Professor (2018 to present) Department of Chemistry, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR
  • Associate Professor (2013 to 2018) Department of Chemistry, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR
  • Assistant Professor (2008 to 2013) Department of Chemistry, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR
  • Assistant Professor of Sr. Research (2003-2010) College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR Education
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Marine Natural Products Research (2000-2003) College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.

Education:

  • Ph.D. in Biochemistry,Vanderbilt University,Nashville, TN. 1994-2000
  • M.S. in Plant Ecology, University of Denver, Denver, CO. 1992-1994
  • Bachelor of Science in Biology at University of Denver, Denver, CO. Magna Cum Laude. Minors in Chemistry and Geography.1988-1992

Publications, Presentations and Other Projects:

  • Flatt,P.M. (In Preparation) The Biochemistry of Integrative Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach to Holistic Medicine. CC BY-NC-SA.
  • Flatt, P.M.* (2019) Biochemistry – Defining Life at the Molecular Level.  Published by Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR (CC BY-NC-SA).  Available at: https://wou.edu/chemistry/courses/online-chemistry-textbooks/ch450-and-ch451-biochemistry-defining-life-at-the-molecular-level/?preview_id=4919&preview_nonce=cca8f0ce36&preview=true
  • Abozenadah, H., Bishop, A., Bittner, S. and Flatt, P.M. (2018) Allied Health Chemistry: Foundations in General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry.  Edited by Henle, S. Available at: https://www.wou.edu/chemistry/courses/online-chemistry-textbooks/ch103-allied-health-chemistry/
  • Abozenadah, H., Bishop, A., Bittner, S. and Flatt, P.M. (2018) Chemistry and the Environment. CC BY-NC-SA.  Available at: https://wou.edu/chemistry/courses/online-chemistry-textbooks/3890-2/
  • Abozenadah, H., Bishop, A., Bittner, S. and Flatt, P.M. (2017) Preparatory Chemistry. CC BY-NC-SA.  Available at: https://wou.edu/chemistry/courses/online-chemistry-textbooks/ch150-preparatory-chemistry/
  • Abozenadah, H., Bishop, A., Bittner, S., Lopez, O., Wiley, C., and Flatt, P.M. (2017) Consumer Chemistry:  How Organic Chemistry Impacts Our Lives.  CC BY-NC-SA.  Available at: https://wou.edu/chemistry/courses/online-chemistry-textbooks/ch105-consumer-chemistry/
  • Flatt, P.M., Damarjanan, C., Isamonger, E., Kalinski J.C., Dorrington, R.A., and McPhail, K.L. (2016). ‘Stromatolite microbial communities as a source of new bioactive secondary metabolites’. Poster Presentation at 9th Joint Natural Products Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • Mahmud, T., Ito, T., Flatt, P.M., Roongsawang, N. and Shirasaka, N. (Jan 2015) U.S. Patent: Pactamycin Analogs and Methods of Making Thereof. 
  • Leingang, A., Taylor, B. Loper, J., Latham, K.L., and Flatt, P.M. (Nov 2015) Poster Presentation: The role of secondary metabolite biosynthesis in the host-pathogen responses of Drosophila melanogaster to Pseudomonas sp. infection. MJ Murdock College Science Research Conference – The ICIng on Undergraduate Research, Vancouver, WA.
  • Participated as a Panel Member in an open forum discussion on, “Tai Chi and the Brain” at the International Tai Chi Chaun Symposium on Health, Education and Cultural Exchange, July 6th-11th, 2014.
  • Oral Presentation entitled, “Tai Chi Related Research on the Health of the Brain and Nervous System: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” at the International Tai Chi Chaun Symposium on Health, Education and Cultural Exchange, July 6th-11th, 2014
  • Poster Presentation entitled, “Research Collaboration on Host-Pathogen Interactions between Drosophila and P. fluorescens bacteria Builds Cross-Disciplinary and Cross-Institutional Collaborations ” Council on Undergraduate Research. Feb 2014.
  • Flatt, P.M., Walters, M., Perry, S. and Mahmud, T. (2013) Genetic insights into pyralomicin biosynthesis in Nonomuraea spiralis IMC A-0156. Journal of Natural Products 76(5):939-946.
  • Zhang, L., Wang, J., Xu, B., and Flatt, P.M. (2012) Production of Bio-fuels by Enzyme-Catalyzed Hydrolysis of Cellulose. Key Engineering Materials 519:100-103.
  • Asamizu, S., Xie, P., Brumsted, C., Flatt, P.M., Mahmud, T. (2012) Evolutionary Divergence of Sedoheptulose 7-Phosphate Cyclases Leads to Several Distinct Cyclic Products. JACS 134(29):12219-29.
  • Andrianasolo, E., Flatt, P.M., McPhail, K.L., Simmons T. L., and Gerwick, W.H. (2011) Pivotal Connections: Tracing Support by the Natural Products Branch to Drug Discovery from Marine Organisms. Published in Bruce Ponman’s Ed: Realizing Natures Potential: Proceedings of the William L Brown Symposium Honoring Dr. Gordon Cragg. MGB Press.
  • Ito, T., Roongsawang, N., Shirasaka, N., Lu, W., Flatt, P.M., Kasanah, N., Miranda, C., and Mahmud, T. (2009) Deciphering pactamycin biosynthesis and engineered production of new pactamycin analogues. ChemBioChem. 10: 2253-2265.
  • Fosto, S., Zabriskie, T.M., Proteau, P.J., Flatt, P.M., Santosa, D.A., Sulastri, and Mahmud, T. (2009) Limazepines A-F, Pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepine Antibiotics from an Indonesian Micrococcus sp. J. Nat. Prod. 72(4): 690-695.
  • Wu, X., Flatt, P.M., and Mahmud, T. (2009) Biosynthetic gene cluster of Cetoniacytone A, an unusual aminocyclitol from the endosymbiotic bacterium, Actinomyctes sp. LU9419. ChemBioChem 10(2):304-314.
  • Mahmud, T., Flatt, P. M., and Wu, X. (2007) Biosynthesis of Unusual Aminocyclitol-containing Natural Products. J. Nat. Prod., 70, 1384-1391.
  • Wu, X., Flatt, P.M., Schlorke, O., Zeeck, A. Dairi, T., Mahmud, T. (2007) A comparative analysis of the sugar phosphate cyclase superfamily involved in primary and secondary metabolism. Chembiochem. 8(2):239-48.
  • Flatt, P.M., Mahmud, T. (2007) Biosynthesis of aminocyclitol-aminoglycoside antibiotics and related compounds. Nat Prod Rep. 24(2):358-92.
  • Ramaswamy, A.V., Flatt, P.M., Edwards, D.J., Simmons, T.L., Han, B., Gerwick, W.H. (2006) “The secondary metabolites and biosynthetic gene clusters of marine cyanobacteria. Applications in biotechnology.” In Proksch, P. and Müller, W.E.G. eds. of Frontiers of Marine Biotechnology. Horizon Scientific Press, Norfolk, UK.
  • Flatt,P.M., O’Connell, S.J., McPhail, K., Zeller, G., Willis, C., Sherman, D.H. and Gerwick, W.H. (2006) Characterization of the Initial Steps in Barbamide Biosynthesis. J. Nat. Prod. 69(6):938-44.
  • Flatt, P.M., Gautschi, J.T., Thacker, R.W., Musafija-Girt, M., Crews, P. and Gerwick, W.H. (2005) Identification of the Cellular Site of Polychlorinated Peptide Biosynthesis in the Marine Sponge Dysidea (Lamellodysidea) herbacea and Symbiotic Cyanobacterium Oscillatoria spongeliae by CARD-FISH analysis. Marine Biology 147(3):761-774.
  • Simmons, T.L., Andrianasolo, E., McPhail, K., Flatt, P.M. and Gerwick, W.H. (2005) Marine natural products as anticancer drugs.   Molecular and Cancer Therapeutics4:333-342.
  • Chang, Z., Sitichitta, N., Rossi, J.V., Roberts, M.A., Flatt, P.M., Jia, J., Sherman, D.H. and Gerwick, W.H. Biosynthetic pathway and gene cluster analysis of curacin A, an anti-tubulin natural product form the tropical marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula. J Nat Prod 67(8):1356-67 (2004).
  • Chang, Z*., Flatt, P.M.*., Gerwick, W.H., Nguyen, V-A., Willis, C.L., and Sherman, D.H. (2002). The barbamide biosynthetic gene cluster: A novel marine cyanobacterial system of mixed polyketide synthase (PKS)-non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) origin involving an unusual trichloroleucyl starter unit. Gene. 296:235-247. *Authors with equal contribution to this work.
  • Flatt, P.M. and Pietenpol, J.A. (2000). Mechanisms of cell cycle checkpoints: At the crossroads of carcinogenesis and drug discovery. Drug Metabolism Reviews. 32(3&4), 283-305.
  • Flatt, P.M., Tan, L. J., Scatena, C.D., Szak, S.T., Pietenpol, J.A., (2000). p53 regulation of G2 checkpoint is retinoblastoma protein dependent. Mol Cell Biol 20(12): 4210-4223.
  • Flatt, P.M., Polyak, K., Tang, L.J., Scatena, C.D., Westfall, M.D., Rubenstein, L.A., Yu, J., Kinzler, K. W., Vogelstein, B., Hill, D., and Pietenpol, J.A. (2000) p53-dependent expression of PIG3 during proliferation, genotoxic stress, and reversible growth arrest. Cancer Letters 156:63-72
  • Flatt, P.M., Price, J.O., Shaw, A., and Pietenpol, J.A. (1998). Differential cell cycle checkpoint response in normal human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Cell Growth and Differentiation. 9:535-543.
  • Herrmann, L.M., Flatt, P., and Bowler, B.E. (1996). Site-directed replacement of the invariant lysine73 of Saccharomyces cervisiae iso-1-cytochrome c with all ribosomally encoded amino acids. Inorganica Chimica Acta. 242(1):97-103.

Grants and Fellowships:

Pending:

  • Baumgartner, E., Beaver, C., Flatt, P., Hou, F., Latham-Scott, K., and Morgan, B. (Submitted 01-07-2020) Fostering Community through Curriculum to Improve Recruitment and Retention of Underrepresented Students in STEM. NSF IUSE proposal 2016511; $290,184.

Current:

  • Kirk, S.R., Bruce, C., Schepmann, H.G., Flatt, P.M., Bertagnolli, M.E. and Roberts-Kirchhoff, E.S. (Oct 2019 – Sept 2024) ASCEND: Advancing STEM Careers by Empowering Network Development. NSF ADVANCE Grant 1936070. https://www.wou.edu/ascend/ Award Amount $999,899.00.\
  • Flatt, P. (2019-20) Development of OER Resources for CH450 Biochemistry I. WOU OER Grant $2,000
  • Flatt, P. (2019) Stromatolite microbial communities as a source of new bioactive secondary metabolites. WOU Faculty Development Grant ($3,500)
  • Flatt, P. (2019) Open Education Resources for Biochemistry ($600) WOU Foundation Grant

Completed:

  • Flatt, P.M. (PI) (Feb 2017- Jan 2018) ‘Monitoring Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms in the Pacific Northwest.’ Funded By: WOU Faculty Development. $3,500.
  • Flatt, P.M (PI) (July 2017 – June 2018) ‘Open Source Learning Materials for Introductory Chemistry Coursework in General, Organic and Biochemistry: Meeting Education Needs from High School to College.‘ Funded By: Higher Education Coordinating Commission. $26,725.
  • Flatt, P.M. (PI) and Monahan, Sue (Co-PI). (May 2016 – June 2017). Collaborative Grant with Oregon State University. ‘Oregon Alliance for Minority Participation (OR AMP): Diversifying Oregon’s STEM workforce.’ General Fund HB 3072. Funded by: Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC). $226,872.
  • Flatt, P.M. (PI) (Oct 2015 – Sept, 2016). Grant: ‘Building Bridges to STEM Education in the Mid-Willamette Valley.’ Funded by: Walmart Foundation. $40,000.
  • Flatt, P.M. Participating as a Vertical Leader in a five-year NSF funded grant entitled, ‘ASAP – Advancing the careers of women in STEM at predominantly undergraduate institutions’. PI: Joanne Smieja at Gonzaga University (2011-2016).
  • Flatt, P.M. (Co-PI) (Awarded 06/01/2011- 06/01/2013) Collaborative Grant Proposal Submitted with Steve Taylor (PI) and Paul Measeles (PI) at Oregon Department of Agriculture. ‘Surface Water Quality Monitoring in the Mid-Willamette Valley.’ Submitted to Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB). $10,600.
  • Flatt, P.M. (Awarded 01/01/2011) Faculty Development Grant awarded by WOU. Deciphering Secondary Metabolic Pathways in Microorganisms. $3,000
  • Flatt, P.M., Latham, K. and Courtney, A. (April 2010) $9,500 grant award from WOU Academic Infrastructure Committee for the purchase of a shaker incubator.
  • Flatt, P.M., and Allen, W. (April 2010) $650 grant award from WOU Student Technology Committee for the development of distance learning resources.
  • Flatt, P.M. (Dec, 2008 – Dec, 2009) $500 grant award from WOU Foundation Grant entitled, ‘Profiling Oregon Soil Microbes for Use in the Production of Biofuels and Medicines.’
  • Flatt, P.M. (Jan, 2009 – June, 2010 ) $3,500 grant award from WOU Faculty Development entitled, ‘The Biosynthesis of Photoprotective Mycosporine-like Amino Acids.’
  • Flatt, P.M. (July 2007-June 2009) “Genetic engineering of Pseudomonas fluorescens as biocontrol agents.” Agricultural Research Foundation Grant. Grant amount: $12,000
  • Flatt, P.M. (May 2006 – April 2007) “Characterization of the pyralomicin halogenases for use in drug design.” General Research Fund Grant from OSU. Grant amount: $10,000
  • Flatt, P.M. (Feb 2006-Feb 2007) “Molecular Evolution of the Pyralomicin N-Glycosyltransferase for use in Drug Design.” Medical Research Foundation of Oregon. Grant amount: $30,000
  • Flatt, P.M. and Gerwick, W.H., (Dec 2000 – Dec 2003) “Isolation of halogenating enzymes for drug design.” NRSA-F32 NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship

Professional Associations:

  • American Society of Pharmacognosy (2008 – Present)
  • Oregon Academy of Science (2008 – 2010)
  • Council on Undergraduate Research (2009 – 2010)
  • American Association of Cancer Research (1999-2000)
  • International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics (1999-2000)

Synergistic Activities:

  • Over the last two years, I have started a new STEM Scholars Center on campus aimed to increase the recruitment and retentions of underrepresented and underserved student populations. This program has included outreach to local area high schools and the creation of an equipment rental program for high school chemistry classes to be able to engage students in hands-on laboratory activities.
  • For the last five years, I have participated as a Vertical Leader in an NSF Advance Grant entitled, Advancing the careers of women in STEM at predominantly undergraduate institutions. The PI of this grant is Joanne Smieja at Gonzaga University. Participation in this program has allowed me to develop new leadership skills and enhance my undergraduate teaching skills, especially in the development of innovative ways to include undergraduate research in the classroom.
  • I have developed of a new Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program in the Applications of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This program has successfully brought students to China in the summers of 2013 and 2015 to study the therapeutics of TCM.  Two undergraduate students from this program are currently conducting natural products research within my laboratory.
  • I have developed the Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology Emphasis Program in Chemistry at Western Oregon University. This program has helped to triple our enrolment of Undergraduate Chemistry Majors at WOU over the last three years and provides new opportunities for undergraduate students to conduct research within our department.
  • Over the last 9 years, I have trained a total of 26 undergraduate students within my laboratory.