David E. Roll

Professor Emeritus of Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Human Biology

David E. Roll Headshot

Science is not only a disciple of reason but, also, one of romance and passion.

Stephen Hawking

Profile

Dr. Roll is a Professor of Chemistry whose journey in science began in Kansas City, Missouri, after moving from his birthplace in Baltimore. He earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Harding University, followed by both a Master’s and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Illinois Urbana, where his research focused on complex carbohydrates in chick fibroblasts infected with Rous Sarcoma virus. It was in the lab that he also met his wife, Peggy—forming a lifelong partnership both personally and professionally.

Following postdoctoral research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Dr. Roll joined Roberts Wesleyan University, where he has been a dedicated educator and researcher. His interests span topoisomerase enzyme regulation in Chlamydia, purification of alpha-1-antitrypsin, and DNA identity testing in forensic science.

He has also completed sabbatical research at top institutions including Baylor College of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, and University of Maryland's Center for Fluorescence Spectroscopy.

A father of five and grandfather of two, Dr. Roll remains passionate about both science and family.

The important thing is to never stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.

Albert Einstein

Education

  • Ph.D. in Biochemistry | University of Illinois Urbana
  • M.S. in Biochemistry | University of Illinois
  • B.S. in Chemistry | Harding University

Professional Affiliations

  • Alpha Chi Sigma Chemical Fraternity
  • American Scientific Affiliation
  • American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions
  • Federation of American Scientists
  • Council of Undergraduate Research

Sample Publications

Grants Funded

  • "Recombinant DNA Technology in the Undergraduate Curriculum," National Science Foundation, College Science Instrumentation Program, Matching Grant $6,000, NSF; $6,000, RWC (1985).

  • "Cell Biology Laboratory for Advanced Undergraduates," National Science Foundation, College Science Instrumentation Program, Matching Grant $11,000, NSF; $11,000, RWC, (1991).

  • "Identification of Possible New Chemotherapeutic Targets in Chlamydia," Academic Research Enhancement Award, National Institutes of Health, $93,610, (1996).

  • “Introducing FT-NMR in the Undergraduate Curriculum,” National Science Foundation, CCLI Adaptation and Implementation program, Matching Grant $27,187.50, (2000).

Patent

  • Coinventors: David Roll, Ignacy Grczynski, Joanna Malicka, Zygmunt Gryczynski and Joseph R. Lakowicz. Patent Disclosure JRL-63 “Metallic Colloid Wavelength-Ratiometric Scattering Sensors”

Publications & Abstracts

  • Weber, M.J. Hale, R.H., and Roll, D.E., "Role of Protease Activity in Malignant Transformation by Rous Sarcoma Virus,"Proteases and Biological Control, pp. 915-930, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1975.

  • Roll, D.E. and Conrad, H.E., "Quantitative Radiochromatographic Analysis of the Major Groups of Carbohydrates in Cultured Animal Cells," Anal. Biochem., 77, 397-412 (1977).

  • Roll, D.E., Aguanno, J., Coffee, C.J. and Glew, R.H., "Comparison of the Carbohydrate and Amino Acid Composition of Normal and S-Variant Alpha-1-Antitrypsins," Biochem. Biophys. Acta, 532, 171-178 (1978).

  • Leonard, J., Hale, A., Roll, D., Conrad, H.E. and Weber, M., "Turnover of Cellular Carbohydrates in Normal and Rous Sarcoma Virus-Transformed Cells," Cancer Research, 38, 185-188 (1978).

  • Roll, D.E., Aguanno, J. and Glew, R.H., "Studies on the Attachment of N-Acetylneuraminic Acid to Glycopeptides from Alpha-1-Antitrypsin," Fed. Proc. 37, Abstract #1828 (1978).

  • Roll, D.E., Aguanno, J., Coffee, C.J., and Glew, R.H., "Isolation and Characterization of Cyanogen Bromide Derived Glycopeptide Fragments of Alpha-1-Antitrypsin," J. Biol. Chem., 253, 6992-6996 (1978).

  • Aguanno, J., Roll, D.E., Coffee, C.J., and Glew, R.H., "Studies on the Attachment of N-Acetylneuraminic Acid to Glycopeptides from Alpha-1-Antitrypsin," J. Biol. Chem., 253, 6997-7004 (1978).

  • Roll, D.E., Weber, M.J., and Conrad, H.E., "Effect of Growth Conditions on the Content of the Major Groups of Carbohydrates in Chick Embryo Fibroblasts," Cancer Research, 39, 2550-2555 (1979).

  • Durban, E., Roll, D., Beckner, G. and Busch, H., "Purification and Characterization of the Nuclear DNA-Binding Phosphoprotein 110/8.4 Found in Tumor and Fetal Tissues," Fed. Proc. 39, Abstract #1856 (1980).

  • Durban, E., Roll, D., Beckner, G., and Busch, H., "Purification and Characterization of a Nuclear DNA-binding Phosphoprotein in Fetal and Tumor Tissues," Cancer research, 41, 537-545 (1981).

  • Roll, D.E., and Glew, R.H., "Isolation and Characterization of Rat Alpha-1-Antitrypsin," J. Biol. Chem. 256, 8190-8196 (1981).

  • Durban, E., Mills, S., Roll, D. and Busch, H., "Phosphorylation of Purified Hepatoma Topoisomerase I," Biochem. Biophys, Res. Comm., 111, 897-905 (1983).

  • Rao, M.R.S., Ahr, V.S., Spohn, W.H., Durban, E., Roll, D. and Busch, H., "A Novel Acidic (p14) 19 Kilodalton Nucleolar Phosphoprotein," J. Cell Biology, 97, American Society for Cell Biology Abstract #527, 140a (1983).

  • McRorie, D.K., Rao, M.R.S., Goldknopf, I.L., Harty, T.P., Roll, D.E., Ahn, V.S., and Busch, H., "Purification and Partial Characterization of a 19KD/pI 4.5 Nucleolar Phosphoprotein," Biochem. Biophys, Res. Comm., 122, 47-55 (1984).

  • Roll, D. and Durban, E., "The Topoisomerase I Tyrosine Phosphorylation Site and the DNA-Interactive Site," American Society of Biological Chemists. Abstract #1707, (1986).

  • Roll, D., Software Review of "Simulation of Hemoglobin Function," J. Chem. Ed., 65, A113-114 (1988).

  • Roll, D., "Recombinant DNA Technology in the Undergraduate Curriculum," abstract and poster submitted to Conference on Gene Splicing sponsored by the American Scientific Affiliation, July, 1988.

  • Bramucci, M., Roll, D., Cook, R. and Durban, E., "Identification of Consensus Epitope Structures Expressed in Recombinant DNA Libraries," Molecular Immunology, 26, 741-748 (1989).

  • Roll, D., Murphy, B.J., Laderoute, K.R., Sutherland, R.M. and Smith, H.C., "Oxygen Regulated 80KDa Protein and Glucose Regulated 78KDa Protein Are Identical," Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 103, 141-148 (1991).

  • Daschev, C., Roll, D.E., Bavoil, P.M., "Expression and Translocation of the Chlamydial Major Outer Membrane Protein in Escherichia coli," Microbial Pathogenesis, 15, (1993).

  • Roll, D., Hsia, R., Bavoil, P.M., "Optimization of Expression and Translocation of the Chlamydial Porin in Escherichia coli." In "Proceedings at the Eighth International Symposium on Human Chlamydial Infection," Orfilia et. al., (eds.), Societo' Editrice Esculapio, Bologna, 263-266 (1994).

  • Adams, R., Roll, D., "Isolation of a Partial Topoisomerase I Gene Clone from the GPIC strain of Chlamydia Psittaci." Abstract and poster presented at the Ninth International Symposium on Human Chlamydial Infection, June 21-26, 1998, Napa Valley, California.

  • Geddes, C. D., Parfenov, A. Gryczynski, I., Malicka, J., Roll, D.,and Lakowicz, J. R., “Fractal Silver Structures for Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence: Applications for Ultra-Bright Surface Assays and Lab-on-a-Chip-Based Nanotechnologies,” Journal of Fluorescence, 13(2), 123-128, 2003.

  • Roll, D., Malicka, J., Gryczynski, I., Gryczynski, Z., and Lakowicz, J. R., “Metallic Colloid Wavelength-Ratiometric Scattering Sensors,” Analytical Chemistry 75(14), 3440-3445 (2003).

  • Lakowicz, J.R., Malicka, J., Gryczynski, Z., Roll, D., Huang, J., Geddes, C. D., and Gryczynski, I. , “Increased Sensitivity of Fluorescence Detection Using Metallic Nanoparticles,” PharmaGenomics, 3(3), 38-46 (2003).

  • Geddes, C.D., Parfenov, A., Roll, D., Fang, J., and Lakowicz, J.R., “Electrochemical and Laser Deposition of Silver for Use in Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence,” Langmuir 19(15), 6236-6241 (2003).

  • Geddes, C.D., Parfenov, A., Roll, D. Gryczynski, I., Malicka, J., Lakowicz, J. R., “Silver Fractal-like Structures for Metal-enhanced Fluorescence: Enhanced Fluorescence Intensities and Increased Probe Photostabilities,” Journal of Fluorescence 13(3), 267-276 (2003).

  • Geddes, C. D., Roll, D., Parfenov, A., and Lakowicz, J. R., “Noble-Metal Surfaces for use in Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence,” Poster #B705, presented at the 47th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society, San Antonio, Texas, March 1-5, 2003.

  • Geddes, C. D., Parfenov, A., Roldd, D., and Lakowicz, J. R., “Enhanced Photostability of Indocyanine Green on a Roughened Platinum Electrode: Metal-enhanced Fluorescence,” Journal of Fluorescence 13(6), 453-457 (2003).

  • Geddes C. D., Parfenov, A., Roll, D., and Lakowicz, J. R., “Roughened Silver Electrodes for Use in Metal-enhanced Fluorescence,” Spectrochemica Acta A., 60 (8-9), 1977-1983, (2004).

  • Zhang, J., Roll, D., Geddes, C. D., and Lakowicz, J. R., “Aggregation of Silver Nanoparticle-Dextran Adducts with Concanavalin A and Competitive Displacement with Glucose,” Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 108 (32), 12210-12214 (2004).