- arnold2@uwm.edu
- 414-251-9450
- Chemistry Building 272C
- http://www.arnoldgroup.org/
Alexander (Leggy) Arnold
- Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry
- Director, Milwaukee Institute of Drug Discovery
Education
1998-2002 Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands (advisor: Ben Feringa)
1996-1998 M.S., Organic Chemistry, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands (advisor: Ben Feringa)
1995 ERASMUS Scholarship for Research Projects: Organometallic Chemistry and Biotechnology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
1991-1994 Vordiplom, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, Rheinische-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Aachen, Germany
Office Hours
by appointment (arnold2@uwm.edu)
Teaching Schedule
| Course Num | Title | Meets |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 345-001 | Organic Chemistry | MWF 12:30pm-1:20pm |
| CHEM 931-003 | Advanced Seminar in Analytical Chemistry | No Meeting Pattern |
| CHEM 932-003 | Advanced Seminar in Biochemistry | No Meeting Pattern |
| CHEM 934-001 | Advanced Seminar in Organic Chemistry | No Meeting Pattern |
Courses Taught
CHEM 345 Organic Chemistry I, Undergrad/Graduate, Lecture.
CHEM 345 Organic Chemistry II, Undergrad/Graduate, Lecture.
CHEM 488 Advanced Analytical Techniques, Undergraduate Seminar and Lab.
CHEM 541 Bioprocess Chemical Engineering, Undergraduate, Lecture.
CHEM 599 Special Projects in Chemistry; Undergraduate, Independent Study.
CHEM 640 Advanced Survey of Organic Chemistry, Undergrad/Graduate, Lecture.
CHEM 647 Physical Methods in Organic Chemistry, Undergrad/Graduate, Lecture.
CHEM 691 Senior Research (independent study), Undergraduate, Independent Study.
CHEM 692 Senior Research Thesis (independent study), Undergraduate, Independent Study.
CHEM 741 Topics in organic Chemistry, Classics in Total Synthesis, Graduate, Lecture.
CHEM 748 Physical Organic Chemistry, Graduate, Lecture.
CHEM 744 Medicinal Chemistry II, Graduate, Lecture.
CHEM 912 Graduate Seminar
CHEM 931 Advanced Seminar in Analytical Chemistry, Graduate, Seminar.
CHEM 932 Advanced Seminar in Biochemical Chemistry, Graduate, Seminar.
CHEM 934 Advanced Seminar in Organic Chemistry, Graduate, Seminar.
CHEM 990 Research Organic Chemistry, Graduate, Independent Study.
CHEM 993 Research Analytical, Graduate, Independent Study.
CHEM 996 Research Biochemistry Graduate, Independent Study.
Research Interests
Our research interest has shifted throughout the years and started with development of small molecule inhibitors of the vitamin D receptor – coactivator interaction to regulated transcription. Initial discoveries resulted in a comprehensive research program with a focus on developing new anti-cancer agents. Tools used for this research ranged from high throughput screening and rational drug design to efficacy measurement in vivo using murine cancer models. This work has been described in several publications and patents.
Our interest in respiratory diseases, specifically asthma, started with the support of the NHLBI and collaboration with Prof. James Cook (UWM) and Prof Charles Emala (Columbia). Their pioneer work identified specific GABA(A) receptor subtypes on airway smooth muscle and developed subtypes specific GABA(A) receptor ligands to induce bronchodilation. Our group discovered specific compounds that reduced bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation without adverse CNS effects. These compounds did not cross the blood-brain barrier thus enabling systemic administration with goal of developing a pill for asthma. This work resulted in many publications and patents as well as UWM startup company named Pantherics commercializing this invention.
In collaboration with the NIMH psychoactive drug screening program (PSDP), we observed that some novel benzodiazepine GABA(A) receptor ligands exhibit affinities for other CNS receptors including G-protein coupled receptors. We have published research regarding novel ligands for the opioid receptors and recently introduced new antagonists for the alpha 2 adrenergic receptors based on a benzodiazepine scaffold. We are planning to continue developing new GPCR ligands using the privileged benzodiazepine scaffold that has shown exceptional DMPK (drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics) and applying our synthetic strategies to control brain transit depending on the medical indication.
Current Research Funding
- Arnold, A. (PI) “Medical countermeasures to chemical inhalation based on GABAA receptor targeting” NIEHS, R21, (April 2025 – March 2027).
- Blecking, A., Benko, A., Arnold, A. “RE-CHARGE STEM-Creating a new, equitable pathway for high school graduates and students who discontinued a STEM program to enter the local STEM workforce” UW innovation grant, Universities of Wisconsin (January 2025- December 2026).