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 212
Intro Organic Chemistry 1
4 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Chemistry: A survey of reactions of aliphatic and aromatic compounds including modern concepts of bonding, mechanisms, conformational analysis, and stereochemistry.
Offered by: Chemistry
- Fall, Winter, Summer
- Prerequisite: CHEM 110 or equivalent.
- Corequisite: CHEM 120 or equivalent.
- Restriction: Not open to students who are taking or have taken CHEM 211 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 (http://www.chemistry.mcgill.ca/advising/outside/equivalent.htm).
- **Although this course follows a Tuesday/Thursday class schedule, the last class will be held on Friday, June 25 due to the statutory holiday on Thursday, June 24.
- Terms
- Instructors
- Danielle K Vlaho, Jean-Marc Gauthier, Laura Pavelka, Pallavi Sirjoosingh
- Danielle K Vlaho, Jean-Marc Gauthier, Laura Pavelka, Nathan Luedtke
CHEM 502
Advanced Bio-Organic Chemistry
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Chemistry: This course will cover biologically relevant molecules, particularly nucleic acids, proteins, and their building blocks. In each case, synthesis and biological functions will be discussed. The topics include synthesis of oligonucleotides and peptides; chemistry of phosphates; enzyme structure and function; coenzymes, and enzyme catalysis; polyketides; antiviral and anticancer agents.
Offered by: Chemistry
- Winter
- Prerequisite: CHEM 302
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CHEM 402.
- Terms
- Instructors
- Christopher Thibodeaux, Nathan Luedtke
CHEM 542
Advanced Nucleic AcidChemistry
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Chemistry: 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.
Offered by: Chemistry
- Terms
- Instructors
- Masad J Damha, Nathan Luedtke
