CAREER: An In Situ AFM Investigation of Cholesterol Crystal Growth

这个职业生涯的建议，旨在建立一个基本的理解的分子水平的机制和动力学的胆固醇晶体成核和生长使用原位原子力显微镜（AFM）。将使用化学力显微镜和相位成像技术建立胆固醇一水合物晶面的化学功能和微观结构。 原位AFM生长实验将提供晶体生长机制（动力学和各向异性）的直接信息和分子水平的缺陷在各种解决方案和完善的模型胆汁条件下的表征。 晶体成核和生长将另外研究在外延矿物衬底和合理设计的抑制剂的存在下。 该计划的教育方面包括开发一个新的本科生有机实验室实验，涉及从凝胶介质中生长晶体，以及建立第一届东海岸研究生有机材料研讨会。这是一个固态化学生物学领域，对医疗行业具有高度相关性和重要性。在固态有机化学领域接受培训的学生在制药等领域的就业市场上非常有竞争力。

This CAREER proposal seeks to establish a fundamental understanding of the molecular level mechanisms and dynamics of cholesterol crystal nucleation and growth using in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM). The chemical functionality and microstructure of cholesterol monohydrate crystal faces will be established using chemical force microscopy and phase imaging techniques. In situ AFM growth experiments will afford direct information on crystal growth mechanisms (kinetics and anisotropy) and the characterization of molecular level defects under a variety of solution and well-established model bile conditions. Crystal nucleation and growth will additionally be investigated in the presence of epitaxial mineral substrates and rationally designed inhibitors. Educational aspects of this plan include the development of a new undergraduate organic laboratory experiment concerning crystal growth from gel media, and the establishment of the first annual East Coast Graduate Student Organic Materials Symposium.%%%This is an area of solid state chemical biology that is of high relevance and importance to the medical industry. Students trained in the area of solid state organic chemistry are very competitive in the job market in areas such as pharmaceuticals.