Margaret R. Asirvatham

Director of General Chemistry & Senior Instructor

Welcome to my chemistry web page. Chemistry is an exciting scientific discipline and helps us to understand, appreciate, and find solutions to many things that affect our everyday lives. For instance, thalidomide, was introduced as a sedative in 1957 but not approved by the FDA. Several birth defects were reported in Germany in the 1960s when thalidomide was used to relieve morning sickness in pregnant women. Research has shown that thalidomide affects limb development in 4-6 week embryos. The drug is no longer used to prevent morning sickness, but is now approved (in 1998) to treat leprosy. Thalidomide is a chiral drug and it was shown that only one of the enantiomers had teratogenic effects. Chiral drug synthesis is a hot research area and worldwide sales have surged to almost $90 billion dollars.
Learn more about body chemistry or check out answers by scientists to hundreds of questions about everyday observations and events. To enjoy learning chemistry, take advantage of animations and simulations that help us to make the macroscopic-microscopic connection.
 

Comments: Contact asirvath@spot.colorado.edu

Date of Creation: May 20, 2002

Date of Last Revision: May 23, 2002