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1 Ohio University
Athens OH 45701
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College of Arts and Sciences
Russ College of Engineering and Technology
Faculty
Jennifer Hines

Jennifer V. Hines

Professor
Biomedical Engineering
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Molecular and Cellular Biology
740-593-9464
Chemistry 209, 133 University Terrace, Athens Campus
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Education

  • Ph.D., Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, 1991

Research Interests

  • Structural and Chemical Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • RNA-targeted Medicinal Chemistry

Biography

The focus of the Hines Lab research group is RNA drug discovery. We employ an interdisciplinary approach to developing RNA-targeted medicinal agents that could potentially treat diseases such as COVID-19, multidrug resistant bacterial infections, and cancer. RNA plays a critical role in viral replication, bacterial regulation and cancer biogenesis. By targeting key RNA-mediated regulatory processes for these diseases we hope to ultimately develop novel medicinal agents. Through a combination of chemical, molecular, and structural biology studies we are determining the structure-function relationships of medicinally relevant RNA targets and the structure-activity relationships of small molecule ligands that bind the RNA. We utilize a variety of approaches ranging from biophysical (fluorescence, UV, NMR) to bioinformatics, computational and molecular biology techniques. Our goal is to gain an in-depth understanding of the factors that govern molecular recognition of RNA by small molecules and to use this knowledge in the development of novel medicinal agents.

News Story Archive About Jennifer Hines

Selected Publications

  • Aldhumani, A. H., Hossain, Md. I., Fairchild, E. A., Boesger, H., Marino, E. C., Myers, M., and Hines, J. V.,  RNA sequence and ligand binding alter conformational profile of SARS-CoV-2 stem loop II motif, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 2021, 545, 75-85.
  • Shriwas, P., Roberts, D., Li, Y., Wang, L., Qian, Y., Bergmeier, S., Hines, J., Adhicary, S., Nielsen, C., and Chen, X. A small-molecule pan-class I glucose transporter inhibitor reduces cancer cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo by targeting glucose-based metabolism Cancer & Metabolism 2021, 9, 1-14.
  • Ghazanfari, D., Noori, M. S., Bergmeier, S. C., Hines, J. V., McCall, K. D., Goetz, D. J.  A novel GSK-3 inhibitor binds to GSK-3β via a reversible, time and Cys-199-dependent mechanism Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2021, 40, 116179.
  • E.R. Murphy, J. Rossmanith, J. Sieg, M.E. Fris, H. Hussein, A.B. Kouse, K. Gross, C. Zeng, J.V. Hines, F. Narberhause, P.W. Coshigano Regulation of OmpA translation and Shigella dysenteriae virulence by an RNA thermometer. Infection & Immunity  2020 Feb 20;88(3):e00871-19 doi: 10.1128/IAI.00871-19
  • I. Armstrong, A.H. Aldhumani, J. L. Schopis, F. Fang, E.Parsons, C. Zeng, Md. I. Hossain, S. C. Bergmeier, J.V. RNA Drug discovery: Conformational restriction enhances specific modulation of the T-Box riboswitch function Hines Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2020, 28, 115696.
  • Liu, J.; Zeng, C.; Hogan, V.; Zhou, S.; Monwar, M. M.; Hines, J. V. Identification of spermidine binding site in T-box riboswitch antiterminator RNA. Chem. Biol. Drug Design 2016, 87, 182-189.
  • Zhou, S.; Anupam, R.; Hines, J. V. Fluorescence anisotropy: Analysis of tRNA binding to the T box riboswitch. Methods in Mol. Biol. 2015, 1240, 143-152.
  • Zeng, C.; Zhou, S.; Bergmeier, S. C.; Hines, J. V. Factors that influence T box riboswitch efficacy and tRNA affinity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2015, 23, 5702-5708.
  • Liu, J.; Zeng, C.; Zhou, S.; Means, J. A.; Hines, J. V. Fluorescence assays for monitoring RNA-ligand interactions and riboswitch-targeted drug discovery screening. Methods Enzymol. 2015, 550, 363-383.
  • Anupam, R.; Zhou, S.; Hines, J. V. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay of RNA-RNA complexes. Methods in Mol. Biol. 2015, 1240, 153-164.
  • Zhou, S.; Acquaah-Harrison, G.; Bergmeier, S. C.; Hines, J. V. Anisotropy studies of tRNA - T box antiterminator RNA complex in the presence of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2011, 21, 7059-7063.
  • Zhou, S.; Acquaah-Harrison, G.; Jack, K. D.; Bergmeier, S. C.; Hines, J. V. Ligand-induced changes in T box antiterminator RNA stability. Chem. Biol. Drug Design 2011, 79, 202-208.
  • Zhou, S.; Means, J. A.; Acquaah-Harrison, G.; Bergmeier, S. C.; Hines, J. V. Characterization of a 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole binding to T box antiterminator RNA Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2011, 20, 1298-1302.
  • Orac, C. M.; Zhou, S.; Means, J. A.; Boehme, D.; Bergmeier, S. C.; Hines, J. V. Synthesis and stereospecificity of 4,5-disubstituted oxazolidinone ligands binding to T-box riboswitch RNA. J. Med. Chem. 2011, 54, 6786-6795.
  • Maciagiewicz, I.; Zhou, S.; Bergmeier, S. C.; Hines, J. V. Structure activity studies of RNA-binding oxazolidinone derivatives. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Letters 2011, 21, 4524-4527.
  • Jentzsh, F.; Hines, J. V. Interfacing medicinal chemistry with structural bioinformatics: Implications for T box riboswitch RNA drug discovery BMC Bioinformatics (GLBIO 2011 Special Issue) 2011, 13, S5-S10.
  • Acquaah-Harrison, G.; Zhou, S.; Hines, J. V.; Bergmeier, S. C. Library of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole analogs of oxazolidinone RNA-binding agents. J. Comb. Chem. 2010, 12, 491-496.
  • Means, J. A.; Simson, C. M.; Zhou, S.; Rachford, A. A.; Rack, J.; Hines, J. V. Fluorescence probing of T box antiterminator RNA: Insights into riboswitch discernment of the tRNA discriminator base. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 2009, 389, 616-621.
  • Fauzi, H.; Agyeman, A.; Hines, J. V. T box transcription antitermination riboswitch: Influence of nucleotide sequence and orientation on tRNA binding by the antiterminator element. BBA-Gene Reg. Mech. 2009, 1789, 185-191.
  • Jack, K. D.; Means, J. A.; Hines, J. V. Characterizing riboswitch function: Identification of Mg2+ binding site in T box antiterminator RNA. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 2008, 370, 306-310.
  • Anupam, R.; Bergmeier, S. C.; Green, N. J.; Grundy, F. J.; Henkin, T. M.; Means, J. A.; Nayek, A.; Hines, J. V. 4,5-Disubstituted Oxazolidinones: High affinity molecular effectors of RNA function. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2008, 18, 3541-3544.
  • Anupam, R.; Denapoli, L.; Muchenditsi, A. M.; Hines, J. V. Identification of neomycin B binding site in T box antiterminator model RNA. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2008, 16, 4466-4470.
  • Means, J. A.; Wolf, S.; Agyeman, A.; Burton, J. S.; Simson, C. M.; Hines, J. V. T box riboswitch antiterminator affinity modulated by tRNA structural elements Chem. Biol. Drug Design 2007, 69, 139-145.
  • Means, J. A.; Katz, S. J.; Nayek, A.; Anupam, R.; Hines, J. V.; Bergmeier, S. C. Structure activity studies of oxazolidinone analogs as RNA-binding agents. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2006, 16, 3600-3604.
  • Means, J. A.; Hines, J. V. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer studies of aminoglycoside binding to a T box antiterminator RNA. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2005, 15, 2169-2172.
  • Fauzi, H.; Jack, K. D.; Hines, J. V. In vitro selection to identify determinants in tRNA for Bacillus subtilis tyrS T box antiterminator mRNA binding. Nucleic Acids Res. 2005, 8, 2595-2602.
  • Gerdeman, M. S.; Henkin, T. M.; Hines, J. V. Solution structure of the B. subtilis T box antiterminator RNA: Seven-nucleotide bulge characterized by stacking and flexibility. J. Mol. Biol. 2003, 326, 189-201.
  • Gerdeman, M. S.; Henkin, T. M.; Hines, J. V. In vitro structure-function studies of the Bacillus subtilis tyrS mRNA antiterminator: Evidence for factor independent tRNA acceptor stem binding specificity. Nucleic Acids Res. 2002, 30, 1065-1072.

Journal Article, Academic Journal (32)

  • Parsons, E., Aldhumani, A., Fairchild, E., Adegbite, O., Roberts, J., Bergmeier, S., Hines, J. (2026). Cyclic Amide-Linked Oxazolidinone Triazoles as Inhibitors of the T-Box Riboswitch . 1. Molecules ; 31: 17. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31010029.
  • Parsons, E., Aldhumani, A., Fairchild, E., Adebite, O., Roberts, J., Hines, J., Bergmeier, S. (2025). Cyclic Amide-Linked Oxazolidinone Triazoles as Inhibitors of the T-Box Riboswitch. 1. Molecules; 31.
  • Parsons, E., Aldhumani, A., Fairchild, E., Adegbite, O., Roberts, J., Hines, J., Bergmeier, S. (2025). Cyclic Amide-Linked Oxazolidinone Triazoles as Inhibitors of the T-Box Riboswitch. 1. Molecules; 31: 29. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31010029.
  • Boesger, H., Williams, K., Abdullai, S., Hubble, B., Noori, M., Orac, C., Amesaki, D., Ghazanfari, D., Fairchild, E., Fatunbi, O., Pritchard, J., Goetz, D., Hines, J., Bergmeier, S. (2025). Docking and Structure Activity Relationship Studies of Potent and Selective Thiazolidinethione GSK-3 Inhibitors. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett; 117: 130074.
  • Hossain, M., Myers, M., Herath, D., Aldhumani, A., Boesger, H., Hines, J. (2022). 4-Aminoquinolines modulate RNA structure and function: Pharmacophore implications of a conformationally restricted polyamine. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun; 644: 55-61.
  • Shriwas, P., Roberts, D., Li, Y., Wang, L., Qian, Y., Bergmeier, S., Hines, J., Adhicary, S., Nielsen, C., Chen, X. (2021). A small-molecule pan-class I glucose transporter inhibitor reduces cancer cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo by targeting glucose-based metabolism. 14. Cancer Metab; 9.
  • Hartman, S., Hines, J. (2021). Embracing partnerships with informal settings to enhance teaching and learning . Summer. Young Child ; 2021: 64-68.
  • Ghazanfari, D., Noori, M., Bergmeier, S., Hines, J., McCall, K., Goetz, D. (2021). A novel GSK-3 inhibitor binds to GSK-3β via a reversible, time and Cys-199-dependent mechanism.. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry; 40: 116179.
  • Aldhumani, A., Hossain, M., Fairchild, E., Boesger, H., Marino, E., Myers, M., Hines, J. (2021). RNA sequence and ligand binding alter conformational profile of SARS-CoV-2 stem loop II motif . Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun; 545: 75-85.
  • Armstrong, I., Aldhumani, A., Schopis, J., Fang, F., Parsons, E., Zeng, C., Hossain, M., Bergmeier, S., Hines, J. (2020). RNA drug discovery: Conformational restriction enhances specific modulation of the T-box riboswitch function. 20. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry; 28: 7. https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85090049585.
  • Murphy, E., Roßmanith, J., Sieg, J., Fris, M., Hussein, H., Kouse, A., Gross, K., Zeng, C., Hines, J., Narberhaus, F., Coschigano, P. (2020). Regulation of OmpA Translation and Shigella dysenteriae Virulence by an RNA Thermometer.. 3. Infection and immunity; 88.
  • Parsons, J., Hartman, S., Hines, J., Truly, C. (2017). A museum without walls: Facilitating STEAM partnerships in rural setting. Connected Science Learning; 3: 1-21. https://csl.nsta.org/2017/07/museum-without-walls/.
  • Hartman, S., Hines, J., Klein, R. (2017). Informal STEM learning: The state of research, access, and equity in rural early childhood setting. Journal of Science Education and Civic Engagement; 9: 16-29. https://new.seceij.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Hartman.pdf.
  • Liu, J., Zeng, C., Hogan, V., Zhou, S., Monwar, M., Hines, J. (2016). Identification of spermidine binding site in T box riboswitch antiterminator . Chem. Biol. Drug Design; 87: 182-189.
  • Hartman, S., Hines, J. (2015). Building Connections: Strategies to Address Rurality and Accessibility Challenges. Journal of Museum Education; 40: 288-303.
  • Hartman, S., Hines, J. (2015). Building connections: Strategies to address rurality and accessibility challenges. Journal of Museum Education; 40: 288-303.
  • Zeng, C., Zhou, S., Bergmeier, S., Hines, J. (2015). Factors that influence T box riboswitch efficacy and tRNA affinity. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry; 23: 5702-5708.
  • Liu, J., Zeng, C., Hogan, V., Zhou, S., Monwar, M., Hines, J. (2015). Identification of Spermidine Binding Site in T-box Riboswitch Antiterminator RNA. Chem. Biol. Drug Design; 87: Oct. 2015 Epub ahead of print; 182-189.
  • Anupam, R., Zhou, S., Hines, J. (2015). Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay of RNA-RNA Complexes. Methods in Molecular Biology Springer Protocols (Humana Press); 1240: 153-164.
  • Zhou, S., Anupam, R., Hines, J. (2015). Fluorescence anisotropy: Analysis of tRNA binding to the T box riboswitch anti terminator RNA. Methods in Molecular Biology Springer Protocols (Humana Press); 1240: 143-152.
  • Liu, J., Zeng, C., Zhou, S., Hines, J. (2015). Fluorescence assays for monitoring RNA-ligand interactions and riboswitch-targeted drug discovery screening. Methods in Enzymology (Elsevier); 550: 363-383.
  • Jentzsch, F., Hines, J. (2012). Interfacing medicinal chemistry with structural bioinformatics: implications for T box riboswitch RNA drug discovery. S2. BMC Bioinformatics; 13: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2105-13-s2-s5.
  • Zhou, S., Means, J., Acquaah-Harrison, G., Bergmeier, S., Hines, J. (2012). 1. Characterization of a 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole binding to T box antiterminator RNA . Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry; 20: 1298-1302.
  • Fang, F., Roberts, D., Zhou, S., Hines, J., Bergmeier, S. (2012). 2. A synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted Imidazolidin-2-ones from fused-ring aziridines I.W. Maciagiewicz. Synthesis; 44: 551-560.
  • Fang, F., Vogel, M., Hines, J., Bergmeier, S. (2012). 3. Fused ring aziridines as a facile entry into triazole fused tricyclic and bicyclic heterocycles . Org. Biomol. Chemistry; 10: 3080-3091.
  • Liu, Y., Cao, Y., Zhang, W., Bergmeier, S., Qin, Y., Akbar, H., Colvin, R., Ding, J., Tong, L., Wu, S., Hines, J., Chen, X. (2012). 4. A small molecule inhibitor of glucose transporter 1 (Glut1) down-regulates glycolysis, induces cell cycle arrest, and inhibits cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo . Mol. Cancer Ther; 11: 1672-1682.
  • Zhou, S., Acquaah-Harrison, G., Bergmeier, S., Hines, J. (2011). Anisotropy studies of tRNA-T box antiterminator RNA complex in the presence of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles. . Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry; 21: 7059-7063.
  • Orac, C., Zhou, S., Means, J., Boehm, D., Bergmeier, S., Hines, J. (2011). Synthesis and stereospecificity of 4,5-disubstituted oxazolidinone ligands binding to T-box riboswitch RNA. 6786-6795. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry; 54.
  • Maciagiewicz, I., Zhou, S., Bergmeier, S., Hines, J. (2011). Structure activity studies of RNA-binding oxazolidinone derivatives. . Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters; 21: 4524-4527.
  • Bergmeier, S., Hines, J., Zhou, S., Acquaah-Harrison, G. (2010). A library of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole analogs of oxazolidinone RNA-binding agents. . 4. J. Comb. Chem.; 12: 491-496.
  • Means, J., Simson, C., Zhou, S., Rachford, A., Rack, J., Hines, J. (2009). Fluorescence probing of T box antiterminator RNA: Insights into riboswitch discernment of the tRNA discriminator base. 4. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications; 389: 616-621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.09.037.
  • Means, J., Wolf, S., Agyeman, A., Burton, J., Simson, C., Hines, J. (2007). T Box Riboswitch Antiterminator Affinity Modulated by tRNA Structural Elements. 2. Chemical Biology & Drug Design; 69: 139-145. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-0285.2007.00476.x.

Journal Article, Professional Journal (2)

  • Murphy, E., Johanna, R., Jacob, S., Megan, F., Habaallaha, H., Andrew, K., Kevin, G., Chunxi, Z., Hines, J., Franz, N., Pete, C. (2019). Regulation of OmpA translation and Shigella dysenteriae virulence by an RNA thermometer . Infection & Immunity; 2019: doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00871-19 [published online December 2, 2019 ahead of print].
  • Murphy, E., Johanna, R., Jacob, S., Megan, F., Habaallaha, H., Andrew, K., Kevin, G., Chunxi, Z., Hines, J., Franz, N., Pete, C. (2018). Regulation of OmpA translation and Shigella dysenteriae virulence by an RNA thermometer.

Book, Chapter in Scholarly Book (1)

  • Hartman, S., Parsons, J., Hines, J. (2023). A Discovery Museum Partnership Network: Increasing Rural Access to & Equity in STEM/STEAM Learning. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press; p.147-168.

Abstract (1)

  • Hines, J. (2016). Development of a fluorescence assay for monitoring ligand binding to regulatory RNA thermometers. 1. Columbus, Ohio: The Ohio Academy of Science; 116: A-7.

Published Book Review (1)

  • Hines, J. (2019). Mastering the element of competition. Science (AAAS); 366 (6471): 1322.