John D. Buynak

• NIH Postdoctoral Fellow, Yale University, 1980-1981

Research Interests

• Organic, Medicinal

My research is focused on the design, synthesis, and development of new antibiotic agents.  I have a long history in the area of beta-lactamase inhibitors.  One of these inhibitors, LN-1-255 is now being evaluated in a murine model of a multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection.  I collaborate with microbiologists, enzymologists, crystallographers in both the commercial sector and academia.  I also design new beta-lactam antibiotics and specialize in designing compounds to treat resistant Gram-negative pathogens.

Selected Publications and Patents

1. Nguyen, T. Q.; Alqurafi, M.; Edwards, C.; Nguyen, P.; Kim, J.; Casco, S.; Bennet, M.; Chiang, C.; Lohry, M.; Cox, M.; Meshram, B.; Le, D.; Kim, E.; Smriti, S.; Oelschlaeger, P.; Buynak, J. D.  Functionalizing the γ-position of α-diazo-β-ketoesters. Tetrahedron Lett. 2016, 57, 3330-3333.
2. Vallejo J. A.; Martínez-Guitián M.; Vázquez-Ucha J. C.; González-Bello C.; Poza M.; Buynak J. D.; Bethel C. R.; Bonomo R. A.; Bou G.; Beceiro A. LN-1-255, a penicillanic acid sulfone able to inhibit the class D carbapenemase OXA-48. J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 2016 71, 2171-80.
3. Oelschlaeger, P.; Aitha, M.; Yang, H.; Kang, J.S.; Zhang, A. L.; Liu, E. M.; Buynak, J. D.; Crowder, M. W.  Meropenem and chromacef intermediates observed in IMP-25 metallo-β-lactamase-catalyzed hydrolysis.  Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 2015, 59, 4326-4330.
4. Nguyen, T. Q.; Chai, W.; Gu, J.; Cook, K.; Kim, E.; Goetz, S.; Farni, Z.; Chepuru, M.; Cox, M.; Nguyen, P.; Raja, H.; Magistrado, P.; Michael, F.; Oelschlaeger, P.; Buynak, J. D. Triethylsilyl enol ethers in the synthesis of carbapenem precursors. Tetrahedron Lett. 2015, 56, 3385-3389.
5. Buynak, J. D.; Nguyen, T. Q.; Alqurafi, M.; Chai, W. C1-(Aminoalkyl)substituted Carbapenems as Metallo-beta-lactamase-resistant beta-Lactam Antibiotics to Treat Metallo-beta-lactamase Producing Pathogens. Provisional Patent Application Number 62/521,372 (2017).
6. Buynak, J. D.; Chai, W.; Nguyen, T. Q.; Alqurafi, M. C5-Substituted Carbapenem Antibiotics, Compositions Containing Such Compounds, and Methods of Use. Provisional Patent Application Number 62/518,569 (2017).
7. Buynak, J. D.; Nguyen, T. Q.; Alqurafi, M. Carbapenems with Improved Properties. Provisional Patent Application Number 62/421,093 (2016).
8. Buynak, J. D.; Chai, W.; Alqurafi, M.; Nguyen, T. Q. Carbapenem Antibiotics with Improved Activity Against Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Provisional Patent Application Number 62/376,395 (2016).

Courses Taught

• Advanced Organic Chemistry (CHEM 5393)
• Medicinal Chemistry (CHEM 5398)
• Introduction to Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry (CHEM 6116)
• Synthetic Strategies (CHEM 6119)
• Chemical Mechanisms (CHEM 6130)