Faculty Profile
Thomas Arnold
Professor of Biology; Walter E. Beach '56 Chair in Sustainability Studies (2003)
Contact Information
Rector North Room 2303
717-245-1319
http://blogs.dickinson.edu/arnoldt/
Bio
Dr. Arnold is a broadly-trained biochemist who studies natural products produced by marine organisms and terrestrial plants exposed to stress, including stress caused by changing climates, grazing, or infection. His research focuses on plant sugar metabolism and transport, polyphenolic metabolism, glucosinolate production, and the occurrence of natural epigenetic regulators which exhibit promising medical properties. He is especially interested in molecules synthesized by organisms living in coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and temperate forests. He has been awarded research grants from the National Science Foundation, the Smithsonian Institution, and NASA. His work has been published in a variety of journals, often with undergraduate co-authors. He has over 20 years of experience as a science educator and mentor of undergraduate researchers. He teaches courses in biochemistry and metabolism, physiology, and ecological physiology as well as climate science. He founded the Dickinson Global Scholar Study Abroad program, and led its first semester-long program in Brisbane, Australia. He has been awarded course innovation grants from the National Science Foundation, among others. Over one hundred students have been trained in his laboratory and through these research programs. Dr. Arnold is an avid SCUBA diver and enjoys spending time near saltwater, in Chesapeake Bay tidal marshes, and on small boats. He is an advocate for Alzheimer's disease research.
Education
- B.A., St. Mary's College of Maryland, 1993
- Ph.D., University of Delaware, 1998
2024-2025 Academic Year
Fall 2024
BIOL 343 Metabolism
A survey of the metabolic processes in animals and plants, including signal transduction, aerobic and anaerobic respiration, and photosynthesis, as well as the biosynthesis of the major types of biomolecules. For each metabolic pathway, we will examine the regulation of enzymes and related genes, their energetic requirements, and the function of pathway end products. Both the normal functioning of metabolic pathways and common metabolic malfunctions, e.g., human inborn errors of metabolism, will be considered. Selected readings from the primary literature and the popular press are required. Students will complete detailed case studies focusing on human metabolism and metabolic disorders.
Three hours classroom a week. Prerequisite: CHEM 242.
CHEM 343 Metabolism
A survey of the metabolic processes in animals and plants, including signal transduction, aerobic and anaerobic respiration, and photosynthesis, as well as the biosynthesis of the major types of biomolecules. For each metabolic pathway, we will examine the regulation of enzymes and related genes, their energetic requirements, and the function of pathway end products. Both the normal functioning of metabolic pathways and common metabolic malfunctions, e.g., human inborn errors of metabolism, will be considered. Selected readings from the primary literature and the popular press are required. Students will complete detailed case studies focusing on human metabolism and metabolic disorders.
Three hours classroom per week. Prerequisite: 242.
BIOL 401 Drugs from Nature
This lab-based course will explore natural products with putative medicinal properties. In the classroom we will survey substances by their distributions in nature as well as by their molecular structures and chemical properties. We will consider the roles of natural products in nature, which often provides clues about their potential medical use. In addition, we will critically evaluate the benefits of common drugs, supplements, and cosmetics derived from plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi - to separate the sound scientific evidence from pseudo-science and social media hype. In the laboratory we will work in research teams to extract, fractionate, and isolate molecules from plants, and to test their activities in a variety of bioassays. Students will complete and present small-scale research projects focusing on medicinal natural products.