U.S.-France Cooperative Research: Energetics and Conformational Changes of SNARE-mediated Fusion

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In this two-year U.S.-France cooperative research project, the investigators will address questions related to SNARE proteins and membrane fusion mechanisms in cells. SNARE proteins will be incorporated into lipid bilayers or expressed on cell membranes. Energy measurements will be performed using several nano techniques that allow force and energy measurements between macromolecular assemblies. The combination of these techniques will allow the investigators to address: (1) the number of SNARE complexes involved in membrane fusions; (2) force versus time measurements and a kinetic description of SNARE-pin formation; and (3) evaluation of the energy associated to the SNARE-pin formation and the amount of energy necessary for membrane fusion. This project involves Thomas Melia at Columbia University and researchers at the Laboratoire de Physique Statistique at the Ecole Normale Superieure in Paris, France. The laboratories have complementary expertise and available equipment. The Columbia group specializes in SNARE proteins and their role in membrane fusion. This is complemented by French expertise in biological adhesion mechanisms and nanotechniques that allow force and energy measurements between biomembranes.