Lesley Davenport

Education:

Ph.D., University of Salford (United Kingdom) - 1981 (Biochemistry)

B.Sc. (honors), University of Salford (United Kingdom) - 1977 (Biochemistry)

Areas of Expertise:

Davenport's research in the laboratory focuses on studies of molecular interactions and fast conformational dynamics of large biomolecules. The lab uses state-of-the-art fluorescence spectroscopic methods. Funded through the Brooklyn College NIH-Score grant, they are currently using sensitive fluorescence methodologies to investigate the folding and stability of quadruplexed DNA found at the telomeric ends of chromosomes as an approach to designing better potential chemotherapeutics.

Books and Publications

Desamero, J., and Davenport, L. (2020) 'Mapping Lateral Loop Conformational Switching of the Telomeric DNA G-Quadruplex on NMM Porphyrin Binding Using Fluorescent Guanine Analogs.' Biophysical Journal, 118 (3), Supplement 1, 65a.

(Books and Publications: Abstract) 2020

Kopkalli, Y., Celius, T.C., Dickson-Karn, N.M., Davenport, L., Williams, B.W. (2019) 'The solvatochromic response of benzo[a]fluorenone in aprotic solvents compared with benzo[b]fluorenone and 9-fluorenone.' J. Physical Organic Chemistry, e3994. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2019

Kopkalli, Y., M. Zamadar, D. Aebisher, A. Greer and L. Davenport. "Studies of Quadruplex Folding Using a New Fluorescent Porphyrin Derivative." Biophysical Journal 100.3, Supplement 1: 234a. (Books and Publications: Abstract) 2011

Liu, S.X., Y. Kopkalli, A.V. Smirnov, J.R. Knutson and L. Davenport. "Fluorescence Studies of Local Environmental Heterogeneity Around Guanine Residues of the Telomeric DNA Quadruplex Conformation." Biophysical Journal 100.3, Supplement 1: 234a. (Books and Publications: Abstract) 2011

Kopkalli, Y., M. Chery, B.W. Willliams and L. Davenport. "Benzo[b]Fluorenone as a Quadruplex Interactive Agent (Qia): Binding Studies and Quadruplex Formation With the Human Telomeric HT4 Sequence." Biophysical Journal Supplement 98.3: 265a. (Books and Publications: Abstract) 2010

Liu, X., Y. Kopkalli, A.V. Smirnov, T. Rosales, M.E. Hawkins, J.R. Knutson and L. Davenport. "Local Dynamic Studies of Guanine Residues Within the Human Telomeric DNA G-Quadruplexed Conformation." Biophysical Journal Supplement 98.3: 265a. (Books and Publications: Abstract) 2010

Rosales, T., X. Liu, Y. Kopkalli, L. Davenport, M. Hawkins and J.R. Knutson. "G-Quadruplex Folding Observed by Two Photon Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy and Dual Time Scale." Biophysical Journal Supplement 98.3: 414a. (Books and Publications: Abstract) 2010

Liu, X., Y. Kopkalli and L. Davenport. "Conformational Stabilization of G-quadruplex DNA by Metalloporphyrins." Biophysical Society Meeting Abstracts, Biophysical Journal Supplement: 344a. (Books and Publications: Abstract) 2009

Liu, X.L., Y. Kopkalli, T. Vu, M.E. Hawkins and L. Davenport. "Conformational Stability of Fluorescently Labeled Human Telomeric G-Quadruplexed DNA Sequences." Biophysical Journal 94: 289a. (Books and Publications: Abstract) 2008

Martinez, A., Ch. S.K. Rajapakse, B. Naoulou, Y. Kopkalli, L. Davenport and R.A. Sanchez-Delgado. "The Mechanism of Antimalarial Action of the Ruthenium(II)-Chloroquine Complex [RuCl2(CQ)]2." Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry DOI 10.1007/s00775-008-0356-9. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2008

Martinez, A., Rajapakse, Ch. S. K., Naoulou, B., Kopkalli, Y., Davenport, L. and Sanchez-Delgado, R.A. (2008) 'The Mechanism of Antimalarial Action of the Ruthenium(II)-Chloroquine Complex [RuCl2(CQ)]2.' Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry 13, 703-712. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2008

Rosales, T., J. Xu, A.V. Smirnov, C. Combs, L. Davenport and J.R. Knutson. "Simultaneous Imaging of NAD+ and NADH Using CARS and 2-Photon Fluorescence Microscopy." Biophysical Journal 90S: 156a. (Books and Publications: Abstract) 2007

Davenport, L., A.V. Smirnov, C.A. Combs, K. Blinova, J.R. Knutson and R.S. Balaban. "Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging of NADH in Cells, in Solution and Encapsulated in Lipid Vesicles." Biophysical Journal 90S: 147a. (Books and Publications: Abstract) 2006

Jamison, J.L., L. Davenport and B. Williams. 'Solvatochromic in the Aromatic Ketone Benzo(b)Fluorenone.' (2006), Chemical Physics Letters, 422: 30-35. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2006

Kopkalli Y., M.J. Rosen and L. Davenport. "Interaction of N-Alkyl-2-Pyrrolidinone Surfactants with DMPC Lipid Bilayers." Biophysical Journal 90S: 505a. (Books and Publications: Abstract) 2006

Kopkalli, Y., M.J. Rosen and Lesley Davenport. "Interactions of N-alkyl-2-Pyrrolidinone Surfactants with Dimyristoyilphosphatidylcholine Small Unilamellar Vesicles." Biophysical Journal 88, 70a, Abstract. (Books and Publications: Abstract) 2005

Kopkalli, Yasemin, Milton J. Rosen and Lesley Davenport. "Interactions of N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidinone Surfactants with Lipid Bilayers." Department of Chemistry, CUNY Graduate Center and Brooklyn College. Abstracts of Papers, 229th ACS National Meeting. San Diego, March 13-17, PHYS-489. Washington, D.C.: American Chemical Society. CODEN: 69GQMP Conference; meeting Abstract written in English. AN 2005:193605 CAPLUS (Copyright (c) 2006 ACS on SciFinder (R)). (Books and Publications: Abstract) 2005

Ramsook, C. and Lesley Davenport. "Effect of Guanidine Hydrochloride and Urea on the Conformation of BPAO." Bilophysical Journal 88, 38a, Abstract. (Books and Publications: Abstract) 2005

Voloshchuk, N., M.E. Hawkins and Lesley Davenport. "Mapping the DNA Binding Site of HIV-1 Integrase Using Fluorescent Oligonucleotides and Fluorescence Polarization." Biophysical Journal 88: 406a. (Books and Publications: Abstract) 2005

Mathias, J.H., Rosen, M.J., and Davenport, L. 'Fluorescence Study of Premicellar Aggregation in Cationic Gemini Surfactants.' Langmuir (2001), 17, 6148-6154. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2001

Rosen, M.J., Mathias, J.H., and Davenport, L. 'Aberrant Aggregation Behavior in Cationic Gemini Surfactants Investigated by Surface Tension, Interfacial Tension, and Fluorescence Methods.' Langmuir (1999) 15, 7340-7346. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 1999

Targowski, P., and Davenport, L. 'A Direct Method for Correction of Pressure-Induced Scrambling of Polarized Fluorescence Intensities.' Analytical Biochemistry (1999) 274, 249-263. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 1999

Awards, Honors and Fellowships

"Collaborator" Proposal Contributor (Conformation and Dynamics of Biological Macromolecules: G-Quadruplexed DNA). MRI proposal: "Acquisition of a Streak Camera System for Time-resolved Deep UV-visible Photoluminescence Spectroscopy." PI: Mim Nakarmi (Dept. Physics, Brooklyn College). (Grants and Fellowships) 2021

Service Recognition, Royal Society of Chemistry - US Section (Awards and Honors) 2018

NIH-SCORE (SC3 GM095437-02), for "Conformation and Multimeric Formation of G-Quadruplexed DNA: Effects of Ligand Interactions." March 1, 2016 - Feb. 28, 2017. (Grants and Fellowships) 2017

"Occasional User" Proposal Contributor (Conformational Studies of Human G-Quadruplexed DNA Under Molecular Crowding Conditions) for NSF MRI: "Proposal for a Stimulated-Emission-Depletion (STED) Microscope." PI: Rein Ulijn (ASRC). (Grants and Fellowships) 2015

NIH-SCORE (SC3 GM095437-02), for "Conformation and Multimeric Formation of G-Quadruplexed DNA: Effects of Ligand Interactions." March 1, 2015 - Feb. 28, 2016. (Grants and Fellowships) 2015

NIH-SCORE (SC3 GM095437-02), for "Conformation and Multimeric Formation of G-Quadruplexed DNA: Effects of Ligand Interactions." March 1, 2014 - Feb. 28, 2015. (Grants and Fellowships) 2014

NIH-SCORE (SC3 GM095437-02), for "Conformation and Multimeric Formation of G-Quadruplexed DNA: Effects of Ligand Interactions." March 1, 2013 - Feb. 28, 2014. (Grants and Fellowships) 2013

NIH-SCORE (SC3 GM095437-02), for "Conformation and Multimeric Formation of G-Quadruplexed DNA: Effects of Ligand Interactions." March 1, 2012 - Feb. 29, 2013. (Grants and Fellowships) 2012

NIH-SCORE (SC3 GM095437-01), for "Conformation and Multimeric Formation of G-Quadruplexed DNA: Effects of Ligand Interactions." March 1, 2011 - Feb. 29, 2012. (Grants and Fellowships) 2011

"Other User" Proposal Contributor (Studies of Ligand Binding with Quadruplexed-DNA.) for NSF MRI-R2 Proposal for Major Research Instrument: "Acquisition of a Plasmon Resonance Spectrometer." PI: Peter Lipke, Biology Department, Brooklyn College (funded 2010-2013). (Grants and Fellowships) 2010

NIH-MBRS SCORE (1S06 GM060654 (076168)-010001), for "Conformational Stability and Dynamics of G-Quadruplexed DNA and Ligand Interactions." The specific aims of this project are: 1) to map the conformational stability at specific sites within the G-quadruplex and to assess the effects of QIA binding on these parameters; and 2) to examine the underlying dynamics of intramolecular G-quadruplex folding and unfolding. April 1, 2010-March 31, 2011. (Grants and Fellowships) 2010

NIH-MBRS SCORE (1S06 GM060654 (076168)-010001), for "Conformational Stability and Dynamics of G-Quadruplexed DNA and Ligand Interactions." The specific aims of this project are: 1) to map the conformational stability at specific sites within the G-quadruplex and to assess the effects of QIA binding on these parameters; and 2) to examine the underlying dynamics of intramolecular G-quadruplex folding and unfolding. April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010. (Grants and Fellowships) 2009

Subcontractor for Collaborative Research-RUI: "Solvatochromic Benzofluorenone Compounds as "Self-Reporting" Quadruplex DNA Interactive Agents." PI: Williams (Bucknell University) and Celius (Ohio Northern University) (2010-2013) (Grants and Fellowships) 2009

Broeklundian Professor, Brooklyn College, Fall 2003 - Spring 2008. (Awards and Honors) 2008

Editorial board, Spectroscopy, 2000-present. (Awards and Honors) 2008

NIH-MBRS SCORE, (1S06 GM060654 (076168)-010001), for "Conformational Stability and Dynamics of G-Quadruplexed DNA and Ligand Interactions." The specific aims of this project are: 1) to map the conformational stability at specific sites within the G-quadruplex and to assess the effects of QIA binding on these parameters; and 2) to examine the underlying dynamics of intramolecular G-quadruplex folding and unfolding. April 1, 2008-March 31, 2009. (Grants and Fellowships) 2008

NIH-MBRS SCORE, (1S06 GM060654 (076168)-010001), for "Conformational Stability and Dynamics of G-Quadruplexed DNA and Ligand Interactions." The specific aims of this project are: 1) to map the conformational stability at specific sites within the G-quadruplex and to assess the effects of QIA binding on these parameters; and 2) to examine the underlying dynamics of intramolecular G-quadruplex folding and unfolding. April 1, 2007-March 31, 2008. (Grants and Fellowships) 2007

NIH-MBRS SCORE, (1S06 GM060654 (076168)-010001), for "Conformational Stability and Dynamics of G-Quadruplexed DNA and Ligand Interactions." The specific aims of this project are: 1) to map the conformational stability at specific sites within the G-quadruplex and to assess the effects of QIA binding on these parameters; and 2) to examine the underlying dynamics of intramolecular G-quadruplex folding and unfolding. April 1, 2006-March 31, 2007. (Grants and Fellowships) 2006

Outstanding Service Award, New York Section of the American Chemical Society (Awards and Honors) 2004

Outstanding Woman Scientist Award, New York Academy of Sciences and MetroSection of AWIS. (Awards and Honors) 2004

Chair and Service Award, New York Section of the American Chemical Society. (Awards and Honors) 2003

Claire and Leonard Tow Professorship, Brooklyn College, 2000-02. (Awards and Honors) 2002

Davenport, L. (PI) PSC-CUNY Grant Award - Year 2. "Conformational Studies of Bovine Plasma Amine Oxidase." $3,923 (7/1/2001 - 6/30/2002) (Grants and Fellowships) 2001

Davenport, L. (PI) PSC-CUNY Grant Award - Year 1. "Conformational Studies of Bovine Plasma Amine Oxidase." $5,026 (7/1/2000 - 6/30/2001) (Grants and Fellowships) 2000

Research Activities

Davenport, L. 'G-Quadruplex Binding Assay and Compounds Therefor'. (2017) US Patent No. 9,598,719. 2017

Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums

Celius, T.C., Karn, N.M., Williams, B.W., Davenport, L., Black, R.J., and Napoli, J. 'Exploration of Solvatochromism in 9-Fluorenone Derivatives Using Steady-State and Time-Resolved Spectroscopies.' (2021) Spring Annual American Chemical Society Meeting, Poster Presentation. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2021

Desamero, J., and Davenport, L. 'Conformational Binding of N-Methyl Mesoporphyrin IX with Model Telomeric DNA G-Quadruplex Forming Sequences.' (2021), Fall Annual American Chemical Society Meeting, Poster Presentation.
(Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2021

Desamero, J., and Davenport, L. (2020) 'Mapping Lateral Loop Conformational Switching of the Telomeric DNA G-Quadruplex on NMM Porphyrin Binding Using Fluorescent Guanine Analogs.' Annual Biophysical Society Meeting, Poster Presentation. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2020

Nicolas Copernicus University, Torun, Poland. "International Symposium Honoring the Scientific Contributions of Professor Andrezj Kowlaczyck". L. Davenport (Invited Speaker), 'Planar Fluorescent Molecules for Biological Applications'. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2018

East China National University, China. International Symposium on: "Laser and Computational Biophysics". L. Davenport (Invited Speaker), 'Investigating G-Quadruplex DNA Conformations Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy.' (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2014

"Conformational Studies of G-Quadruplexed DNA." CUNY Structural Biology Workshop. June. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2011

"DNA Knots and Tumorigenesis: Folding and Conformation of Quadruplex-DNA." Institute of Biotechnology, St John's University. New York, September. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2011

Kopkalli, Y., M. Zamadar, D. Aebisher, A. Greer and L. Davenport. "Studies of Quadruplex Folding Using a New Fluorescent Porphyrin Derivative" poster. Annual Biophysical Society Meeting. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2011

Liu, S.X., Y. Kopkalli, A.V. Smirnov, J.R. Knutson and L. Davenport. "Fluorescence Studies of Local Environmental Heterogeneity Around Guanine Residues of the Telomeric DNA Quadruplex Conformation" poster. Annual Biophysical Society Meeting. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2011

"DNA Knots and Tumorigenesis: Folding and Conformation of Quadruplex-DNA." Chemistry Department, Bucknell University. Lewisburg, Pa., April. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2010

Kopkalli, Y., M. Chery, B.W. Willliams and L. Davenport. "Benzo[b]Fluorenone as a Quadruplex Interactive Agent (Qia): Binding Studies and Quadruplex Formation With the Human Telomeric HT4 Sequence" poster. Annual Biophysical Society Meeting. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2010

Liu, X., Y. Kopkalli, A.V. Smirnov, T. Rosales, M.E. Hawkins, J.R. Knutson and L. Davenport. "Local Dynamic Studies of Guanine Residues Within the Human Telomeric DNA G-Quadruplexed Conformation" poster. Annual Biophysical Society. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2010

Rosales, T., X. Liu, Y. Kopkalli, L. Davenport, M. Hawkins and J.R. Knutson. "G-Quadruplex Folding Observed by Two Photon Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy and Dual Time Scale." Annual Biophysical Society Meeting. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2010

Chery, M., Y. Kopkalli, B.W. Williams and L. Davenport. "Formation and Stabilization of G-Quadruplex DNA Structures With Benzo[b]Fluorenone" poster. Annual ABRCM meeting. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2009

Liu, X., Y. Kopkalli and L. Davenport. "Conformational Stabilization of G-quadruplex DNA by Metalloporphyrins" poster. Annual Biophysical Society Meeting. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2009

Liu, X.L., Y. Kopkalli, T. Vu, M.E. Hawkins and L. Davenport. "Conformational Stability of Fluorescently Labeled Human Telomeric G-Quadruplexed DNA Sequences" poster. Annual Biophysical Society Meeting. Long Beach, Calif. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2008

Professional Leadership

Board Member, The Research Foundation of CUNY (2017-2021) (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2021

Brooklyn College Faculty Program Coordinator - NSF Funded CUNY NYC Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program (9/1/2018-8/31/2023) (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2021

Chemistry Department Appointments Committee Member, Fall 2017-Spring 2023 (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2021

Chemistry Department Equipment Committee, Fall 2017 - Spring 2021. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2021

Chemistry Department Integrity Committee (2013-2021) (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2021

Chemistry Department Student Awards and Recognition Committee, Spring 2017-Spring 2021. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2021

Elected Alternate Member of the Brooklyn College Policy Council, Sept 2019 - May 2021. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2021

Elected Member of Faculty Council representing the School of NBS, Fall 2012-Spring 2021. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2021

Honorable Treasurer, US Section of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2008-2021). (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2021

Member, Research Foundation-Faculty Advisory Committee, University Faculty Senate, CUNY (2015-2021) (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2021

Elected Graduate Faculty Council Representative for the Biochemistry PhD Program, Fall 2016 - Spring 2020 (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2020

Member, Blavatnik Regional Awards Jury, New York Academy of Sciences (2016-2020) (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2020

Member, Programs Task Force, Department of Chemistry, Fall 2020 - Spring 2021 (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2020

Member, Presidential Advisory Committee on Distinguished Professors (2013 - 2016). (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2016

Advisory Board Member, Executive Committee for the CUNY-Center for Advanced Technology (CAT) (Fall 2014 - Spring 2015) (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2014

NIH-Enabling Biomedical Technologies Study Section Ad Hoc Panel Member. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2014

Chairperson (Summer Session I), Department of Chemistry, Brooklyn College of CUNY (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2012

Chairperson (Summer Session II), The Department of Chemistry, Brooklyn College of CUNY (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2011

Deputy Chair, Department of Chemistry, Brooklyn College (Spring 2011- Spring 2014) (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2011

Panel discussant, CUNY Inspiring Woman Scientists Forum, September. (Professional Leadership: Public Service) 2010

Chair, Faculty Membership Committee, Biochemistry PhD Program, CUNY Graduate Center (2002-2008) (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2008

Executive Officer, Biochemistry Ph.D. Program, CUNY Graduate Center, 2002-2008. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2008

Student Academic Appeals Committee, The Graduate Center, CUNY (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2007

Councilor representing the New York Section, American Chemical Society, 2003-05. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2005

Public Relations Committee, Department of Chemistry (Fall 2005 - Spring 2007) (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2005

Affiliate member, National Committee on Science, American Chemical Society. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2004

Chair, New York Section of the American Chemical Society. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2002

Deputy Executive Officer, Biochemistry PhD Program, CUNY Graduate Center (1985-2002) (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2002

Chair, Biological Fluorescence Spectroscopy Subgroup, Biophysical Society. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2000

Coordinator, Annual Brooklyn College Science Day, 1997-2000 (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2000

Organizer: Annual Brooklyn High School Day (in partnership with the Brooklyn Subsection of the NY Section of the American Chemical Society) (1997-2000) (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2000

Chair-Elect, Biological Fluorescence Spectroscopy Subgroup, Biophysical Society. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 1999

Pedagogical Achievements

Initiated and Served as Program Coordinator for the Biochemistry & Chemistry Doctoral Student Seminar Program at Brooklyn College. (Spring 2006 - Fall 2010; except Spring 2009 and Spring 2010 semesters when on fellowship leave). 2006

Other Professional Activities

Editorial Board Member, Biomedical Spectroscopy & Imaging 2021

ABRCMS Meeting (San Antonio) - Judge for the Biochemistry Division Student Research Posters. 2014

ABRCMS Meeting (San Jose) - Judge for the Biochemistry Division Student Research Posters. 2012

Member, editorial board, Spectroscopy. 2011

Panel Member, NIH Study Section "Enabling Biomedical Technologies", 2007-2011. 2011