Investigation and Optimization of Electron Transfer in Membrane Proteins

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This starter grant award of the Chemistry Division to St. Francis College supports the research of Professor Rose Ann Clark. The theme of the research is the investigation and optimization of electron transfer in membrane proteins in order to gain a better understanding of their structural stability and how this stability affects the electron transport properties essential for energy transduction in living cells. Systems to be studied include membrane proteins in nonaqueous media, proteins in model membranes (liposomes), and proteins incorporated into a two-dimensional membrane on the electrode surface. The proteins in solution and the protein monolayers will be investigated using electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical methods. These studies will help elucidate the mechanisms controlling electron transfer, and the results will be analyzed using Marcus theory.This project is important for understanding processes at the interface between chemistry and biology and will also help advance development of the techniques used in the analyses. Understanding the factors that control electron transfer in living systems should also lead to optimized systems for biosensors.