Professor 
B.Sc. (University of Washington, Seattle, 1997)
Ph.D. (University of California, San Diego, 2003)
NIH Postdoctoral Fellow (Yale University, 2003-2006)
Professor: Assistant, Associate, Full (University of Zürich, 2006-2019)
Office: PP 107
Phone: (514)398-6934
Email: Nathan.Luedtke [at] McGill.CA
Lab: P&P 209-213
Lab Phone: (514)398-4822
Web Page: Luedtke Group Website
Research Themes
- Organic Chemistry
- Chemical Biology
- Pharmacology
Research Description
Fluorescent probes have revolutionized the study of biological macromolecules in their native environments. However, as compared to the extensive methodologies developed for proteins, relatively few imaging strategies are currently available for cellular nucleic acids. These methods are limited by their negative impact on native systems and/or inability to be applied in live cells and animals. Our group is therefore developing non-toxic fluorescent probes capable of characterizing the structure, function, and dynamics of nucleic acids in vivo. Daily work in our lab involves the design and synthesis of new fluorophores, nucleosides and oligonucleotides. In some cases, novel synthetic approaches are needed to obtain our target molecules. Next, extensive biological, photophysical and biophysical studies are used to characterize the candidates’ potentials to report nucleic acid structures and dynamics. Finally, promising compounds are evaluated in cell cultures and whole animals using fluorescence-based imaging. Some of the metabolic probes and methods developed in our lab have been commercialized by Sigma Aldrich and widely used by other research groups working in the fields of regenerative medicine, genome architecture, stem cell biology, and virology. Promising new applications of our probes include the development of diagnostic probes for personalized cancer therapy.
Currently Teaching
CHEM 211. Organic Chemistry 1 Lectures.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025
Description
A survey of reactions of aliphatic and aromatic compounds including modern concepts of bonding, mechanisms, conformational analysis, and stereochemistry.
- Fall, Winter, Summer
- Prerequisite: CHEM 110 or equivalent.
- Corequisite: CHEM 120 or equivalent.
- Restrictions: Not open to students who are taking or have taken CHEM 212 or equivalent. Permission of the Department of Chemistry is required.
- Note: Some CEGEP programs provide equivalency for this course. For more information, please see the Department of Chemistry's Web page (http://www.chemistry.mcgill.ca/advising/outside/equivalent.htm).
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CHEM 212. Introductory Organic Chemistry 1.
Credits: 4
Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025
Description
A fundamental study of aliphatic compounds and saturated functional groups including modern concepts of bonding, reaction mechanisms, conformational analysis, spectroscopy, and stereochemistry.
- Fall, Summer
- Prerequisite: CHEM 110 and CHEM 120 or equivalent.
- Restriction: Not open to students registered in Chemistry or Biochemistry. Not open to students who have taken or are taking CHEM 211, CHEM 242, or equivalent.
- Each lab section is limited enrolment
- Note: Some CEGEP programs provide equivalency for this course. For more information, please see the Department of Chemistry's Web page (https://www.mcgill.ca/transfercredit/prospective/cegep).
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CHEM 222. Introductory Organic Chemistry 2.
Credits: 4
Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Summer 2025, Winter 2026
Description
Modern spectroscopic techniques for structure determination. The chemistry of alcohols, ethers, carbonyl compounds, and amines, with special attention to mechanistic aspects. Special topics.
- Winter, Summer
- Prerequisite: CHEM 212 or CHEM 242 or equivalent.
- Restriction: Not open to Chemistry or Biochemistry students. Not open to students who have taken or are taking CHEM 234 or CHEM252.
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CHEM 542. Advanced Nucleic Acid Chemistry.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
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Description
Advanced-level chemical reactivity and metal binding properties, advanced methods for synthesis, purification and characterization of DNA/RNA, non-canonical DNA/RNA structures and functions, self-assembly of functional nucleic acid-based materials, chemical and fluorescence-based methods for probing nucleic acids in vitro and in vivo, in vitro evolution of functional nucleic acids for biotechnology, and diagnostic and therapeutic applications of modified nucleic acids.
- Prerequisites: CHEM 302 CHEM 332 or BIOL 200 BIOL 201 or permission of the instructor.
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