Liquid Nanoliter Calorimetry for Ultrafast Analysis of Proteins

该提案的目的是开发一种用于蛋白质分析的液体量热计，其体积比传统仪器小一千倍，扫描速度比传统仪器快一千倍。 该提案应用了成功制造计算机芯片的技术，旨在为生物研究创造一种新的液体纳米热量计仪器。了解蛋白质的基本性质是了解其功能的基础。 液体纳米热量计的高速率将使研究人员能够观察蛋白质折叠的快速中间步骤。 该器件的设计还将使在单个硅晶片上开发100个这些器件成为可能。 这种芯片上的实验室配置是自动化的理想选择，也是组合研究的必要条件。 极小的样本量也是表征新蛋白质合成所必需的，而新蛋白质的合成量通常是有限的。这项研究将为研究生提供广泛的教育，让他们在设计和制造未来的设备实际动手经验。 该项目在扩大化学家和生物学家的仪器方面也具有广泛的技术影响。 蛋白质研究的进展直接影响国家的健康和医疗行业，这是经济中最具扩张性的部分。 这项研究很重要，因为它有助于为蛋白质的发现提供基础设施。 合成新型蛋白质对于医学的进步至关重要，而表征这些新蛋白质是实现其潜力的第一步。

The objective of this proposal is to develop a liquid calorimeter for protein analysis and designed to have volumes one-thousand times smaller and scanning rates up to one-thousand times faster than conventional instruments. This proposal applies the technology which has been so successful for making computer chips for the purpose of creating a new liquid Nanocalorimeter instruments for biological research.Understanding the underlying basic properties of proteins is fundamental to understanding their function. The high rates of the liquid Nanocalorimeter will allow researchers to observe the fast intermediate steps of protein folding. The design of this device will also enable the development of 100's of these devices on a single wafer of silicon. This Lab on a Chip configuration, which is ideal for automation, is a necessity for combinatorial studies. The extremely small sample sizes are also much needed for characterization for the synthesis of new proteins which are usually made at limited quantities. This research will provide a broad education for graduates students giving them practical hands-on experience in designing and fabricating devices of the future. The project also has broad technical impact in broadening the instrumentation for chemists and biologists. Advances in protein research directly impact the nation's health and medical industry, the most expanding segment of the economy. This research is important because it helps provide the infrastructure for protein discoveries. Synthesizing new types of protein is critical for advances in medicine and characterizing these new proteins is the first step in realizing their potential.