CAREER: Macromolecular Recognition and Differential Ion Channel Functioning

该项目描述了蛋白质生物物理化学的高质量研究计划的持续发展计划，并将其纳入涉及高中，本科和硕士生以及高中化学和生物教师的教育计划。 这项研究的智力价值集中在了解一类硫酸化类固醇的基本分子识别，反向调节离子通道属于离子型谷氨酸受体（iGluR）家族。 这些知识不仅将进一步理解分子识别，而且还将有助于破译大脑复杂功能的能力。 这些神经类固醇在调节我们的记忆、认知和学习方面起着什么作用？ 教育部分将高中化学和生物教师沿着他们的学生纳入上述研究计划。 具体目标是：1.绘制硫酸双烯醇酮（PREGS）和硫酸孕烯醇酮（PREGAS）与iGluRs的结合位点，并了解为什么PREGS是NMDA受体的正调节剂，但AMPA受体的负调节剂。2.让高中化学和生物教师参与基于探究的调查，这将使他们能够开发新技术，收集想法以纳入新课程或实验室，并满足他们的时钟时间要求。 让高中三年级和四年级的学生参加一个全职的暑期研究项目。 这将使这些学生发展批判性思维和解决问题的能力，并使他们接触科学的兴奋和未来从事科学职业的可能性。 不仅大学生和高中生将接受该项目的培训，而且高中教师也将参与该项目。教师参与以研究为基础的调查将有助于他们以高效的方式向学生教授科学过程的能力。

This project describes plans for the continued development of a high quality research program in protein biophysical chemistry, and its integration into an educational plan involving high school, undergraduate, and master's students, as well as high school chemistry and biology teachers. The intellectual merit of this research focuses on understanding the underlying molecular recognition of a class of sulfated steroids that inversely modulate ion channels belonging to the ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) family. Not only will this knowledge further the understanding of molecular recognition, but it will also aid in the ability to decipher the complex functioning of the brain. What function do these neurosteroids play in regulating our memory, cognition, and learning? The educational component integrates high school chemistry and biology teachers along with their students into the above research plan. The specific aims are to:1. Map the binding site of pregnenolone sulfate (PREGS) and pregnanolone sulfate (PREGAS) to the iGluRs and understand why PREGS is a positive regulator of the NMDA receptor, but a negative regulator of the AMPA receptor.2. Involve high school chemistry and biology teachers in an inquiry based investigation, which will enable them to develop new techniques, gather ideas to incorporate into new courses or labs, and satisfy their clock hour requirements.3. Involve high school juniors and seniors in a full time summer research program. This will allow these students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, as well as to expose them to the excitement of science and the possibility of future careers in the sciences.The broader impacts of this project are primarily in addressing scientific literacy. Not only will undergraduates and high school students be trained by this program, but also the high school teachers will participate in this program. Involvement of teachers in a research-based inquiry will aid in their ability to teach the process of science to students in a highly effective manner.