PNNL

Kristoffer Brandvold’s career focus is on leveraging organic synthesis to provide technology for life science applications, including the elucidation of the underlying biology of disease. His graduate studies were devoted to using synthetic chemistry to develop highly selective chemical probes for protein kinases. A notable achievement of his graduate work was the development of the most selective chemical inhibitor of c-Src kinase to date (Brandvold et al. ACS Chem Biol, 2015, 10, 1387-1391). This work highlights Brandvold’s experience with both small-molecule and peptide synthesis, and his ability to develop biochemical assays using novel synthetic probes. In addition to his synthetic experience, he brings a deep comprehension of biology and modern technologies that fuel his field. He intends for the blending of chemistry and biology to remain a key driving force in his research.

His work at PNNL has primarily focused on gut microbiome metabolism, and his laboratory has developed chemical probes for both chemoproteomic applications and simple plate reader assays. He has also played a lead role in bringing gnotobiotic research capabilities to PNNL. Under his direction, the PNNL team has created a gnotobiotic facility that features flexible film isolators and iso-cages for maintenance of germ-free mice. He seeks to use gnotobiotic mouse models coupled with activity-based protein profiling to understand the functional link between the gut microbiome and host resilience. His research will provide a roadmap for increasing host resilience through harnessing the chemistry of the gut microbiome.

• Chemical biology
• Organic synthesis
• Protein biochemistry
• Chemical proteomics

• PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan
• BA in Biology and Chemistry, Minnesota State University Moorhead

• Wright AT, KR Brandvold, S Ramos-Hunter. “Bile Salt Hydrolase Probe and Method of Making and Using the Same.” US Patent 2,019,112,330.

2020

• Couvillion, S.P., Agrawal, N., Colby, M., Brandvold, K.R., and Metz, T. “Who is metabolizing what? Discovering novel biomolecules in the microbiome and the organisms who make them.” Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2020.00388

2019

• Brandvold K.R., J.M. Weaver, C. Whidbey, and A.T. Wright. 2019. "A continuous fluorescence assay for simple quantification of bile salt hydrolase activity in the gut microbiome." Scientific Reports 9. PNNL-SA-133128. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-37656-7