RUI: Proteinaceous Bioadhesive Structure Elucidation

该项目的目标是确定具有生物黏附功能的蛋白质结构域的分子结构。将使用生物物理技术的组合来检测溶剂化吸附状态下的模型多肽，以监测底物结合时发生的构象变化。该项目致力于开发一种用于溶液中吸附分子的结构鉴定的方案。贻贝黏附蛋白，MAP，从紫贻贝中提取，为建立最初的模型化合物提供了信息。固体技术，如多重衰减内反射红外光谱(MAIR)、椭偏测量、接触角分析、结合溶液状态核磁共振(NMR)光谱和分子模拟，已经给出了一些结构信息，但还没有被充分利用。如有必要，除了新提出的“吸附状态”核磁共振光谱学、X射线衍射法和细胞附着分析的结晶尝试外，还将采用这些技术。这些信息将被汇编成在接近表面的情况下创建肽的分子模型，以查看和更好地了解底物结合时发生的变化。这位研究人员致力于将研究与教学结合起来。PI在D‘Youville学院教授的各种课程反映了她的多学科背景(例如，化学、生物化学、数学和计算机科学)。PI的大多数学生都是非理科专业的女性。虽然这些学生没有选择科学作为他们的主要研究领域，但他们接触到的科学信息、过程和工具对他们的整体教育产生了重大影响。这些学生中的许多人将被要求完成硕士论文或项目。此外，学校还大幅增加了教育类学生的数量。这些(K-12)预科教师对这一项目的接触不仅加强了他们的教育，而且提高了他们每个学生的学习能力。接触这个项目可能是D‘Youville的学生在毕业前见证基础研究的唯一机会。

The goal of this project is to determine the molecular structure of proteinaceous domains that exhibit bioadhesive functionality. Model peptides in the solvated adsorbed-state will be examined using a combination of biophysical techniques to monitor the conformational changes that occur upon substrate binding. This project seeks to develop a protocol for structural elucidation of adsorbed molecules in solution. Mussel adhesive protein, MAP, extracted from Mytilus edulis has provided information to create the initial model compounds. Solid-state techniques, such as multiple attenuated internal reflectance infrared (MAIR-IR) spectroscopy, ellipsometry, contact angle analysis, combined with solution-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and molecular modeling have already given some structural information, but have not been used to their fullest potential. When warranted, these techniques, in addition to newly proposed "adsorbed-state" NMR spectroscopy, crystallization attempts for x-ray diffraction and cell attachment assays, will be employed. The information would be compiled to create molecular models of the peptides in close approximation to a surface to view and better understand changes that occur upon substrate binding. The investigator has worked to combine research with teaching. The variety of courses the PI has taught at D'Youville College reflects her multi-disciplinary background (e.g., chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics and computer science). Most of the PI's students are female non-science majors. Although these students did not choose science as their major field of study, the scientific information, process and tools that they are exposed to have a significant impact on their overall education. Many of these students will be required to complete a Master's thesis or project. Additionally, the school has increased the number of education students drastically. These (K-12) pre-teacher's exposure to this project enhances not only their education, but of each of their students to follow. Exposure to this project may be the only opportunity D'Youville students have to witness basic research before they graduate.