Organic chemists investigate the structure, properties, and reactions of compounds that contain carbon. Organic compounds are all around us; they are in our DNA, peptides and proteins and they are central to the economic growth of the U.S., in industries such as plastics, fuel, pharmaceutical, coatings, and agrichemicals. The foundations of biochemistry, biotechnology, and medicine are all built on organic compounds and their role in life processes. For example, organic chemists may determine the structures of newly discovered molecules that have antitumor properties or be a replacement for a hormone such as insulin. Organic chemists are also skilled at selectively modifying molecules to enhance a desired activity and specificity of action, while decreasing undesired side effects.

		Contact Information	Research
	Barbara J. W. Cole	241 Aubert Hall (207) 581-1188 cole@maine.edu	Wood Organic Biological Environmental Alt. Energy
	Raymond C. Fort, Jr.	252 Aubert Hall (207) 581-1180 rcfort@maine.edu	Organic Wood Biological Environmental Alt. Energy
	Bruce L. Jensen	177 Aubert Hall (207) 581-1177 bruce.jensen@umit.maine.edu	Organic Alt. Energy Biological Chem Ed

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