Research Interests:

Dr. Self's graduate research focused on the role of molybdenum in the transcriptional regulation of genes encoding components of the formate hydrogenlyase as well as nitrate reductase using Escherichia coli as a model. After defending his Ph.D. in 1998 he began post-doctoral studies at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute under the guidance of Dr. Thressa C. Stadtman at the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland in the spring of 1999. Expanding his background in bacterial genetics and physiology, this fellowship led him to biochemical and spectroscopic analysis of selenium dependent molybdenum hydroxylases, including the discovery of a new selenoenzyme, purine hydroxylase from Clostridium purinolyticum. This work solidified an interest in anaerobic microbiology, selenium metabolism and metalloenzymes and helped build a solid foundation for future independent research. After five years at the NIH, Dr. Self established his own research laboratory upon arriving at the University of Central Florida in the fall of 2003. Over the past five years the laboratory has continued studies of selenoenzymes from clostridia, especially Clostridium difficile, and also expanded to study newly identified catalytic antioxidant nanomaterials. The metabolism of selenium upstream of the synthesis of selenoproteins has also led to research in the toxicology of arsenic and studies that may lead to drug targeting of selenium metabolism for development of novel narrow-spectrum antimicrobials.