Associate Professor, Associate Chair & Program Leader Chemistry
Phone: (239) 590-1881
E-Mail: johnreilly@fgcu.edu
Office: WH 221

My research involves skin-chemical interactions and photo-reactivity of psoralen, a natural chemical found in citrus fruits, with DNA, RNA, proteins, nucleic acids and amino acids. The research area is generally referred to as photochemistry/photobiology or photo-medicine which includes photo-chemotherapy, photo-chemoprotection, and photo-chemoinactivation. In my research group, we investigate a photo-chemotherapy tool known as PUVA (Psoralen-UVA light). PUVA is an important therapeutic tool in treating dermatological ailments such as psoriasis and vitiligo. However, scientists are far from completely understanding the mechanisms and adverse effects underlying photo-chemotherapy. We study the effect PUVA therapy has on the human immune system. Specifically, on an enzyme found in the skin called histidase that produces a natural sun-block. In addition, we investigate the effect psoralen, on its own, has on inhibiting the metabolic breakdown of drugs in the small intestine.

PUBLICATIONS

• Reilly, J.T., T.T. Tyner, K.A. Troester, D.A Vitale and T.R. Risher, “Inhibition of Histidine Ammonia Lyase by 8-methoxypsoralen and Psoralen Oxidized Photporducts”. 2010. Photochemistry and Photobiology. 86, 1272-1277.
• Reilly, J.T. and M. Strickland, 2009. “Writing Component for the Second-Semester Physical Chemistry Curriculum”. J. College Science Teaching. 39(4), 35-41.
• Labows, J.N., J.T. Reilly, J. Leyden, and G. Preti. 1999. In Antiperspirants and Deodorants; Editor C. Felger, K. Laden, Eds., Second; Marcell Dekker, New York, NY. pp 59-81.
• Reilly, J.T., Costas P. Bokis, and M.D. Donohue. 1995. "An experimental investigation of Lewis acid-base interactions of liquid carbon dioxide using Fourier Transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy". International Journal of Thermophysics. 16(3), 599-610.
• Reilly, J.T., J.M. Walsh, M.L. Greenfield, and M.D. Donohue. 1992. "Analysis of Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectra: The Voigt Profile", Spectrochimica Acta. 48A(10), 1459-1479.
• Reilly, J.T., C-H Kim, A. B. Clark, and M.D. Donohue. 1992. "High-Pressure Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium of Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Carbon Dioxide and Ethane". Fluid Phase Equilibria. 73, 81-107.
• Reilly, J.T., C.N. Shubert, J.R. Lindner, M.D. Donohue, and R.M. Kelly. 1990. "Effect of Heterocyclic Amine Additives on the Absorption Rates of Carbonyl Sulfide and Carbon Dioxide in Aqueous Methyldiethanolamine Solutions". Chem. Eng. Comm. 93, 181-191.

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