IDBR: Temperature Controlled Array Microsystem for Functional Proteomics

该奖项是为了表彰开发的集成微系统平台，该平台可以将一系列生物界面整合到适用于各种蛋白质的准确、连续使用的电化学表征系统中。该系统将提供蛋白质表征的能力，包括：(1)同时测量许多可溶性和膜蛋白质的活性，(2)使用多种电化学技术进行快速、自动化的询问，(3)对单个蛋白质位点进行微温度调节，以及(4)降低每次分析的成本。一个原型装置将通过研究硫酸盐乳杆菌的新蛋白质进行测试，这些蛋白质包括磷酸盐转运体、离子通道和脱氢酶。硫磺乳杆菌的基因组最近在PI的大学被测序。这种单细胞真核生物能够在高温、极低的pH值和高浓度的有毒金属中生长。从结构生物学和生物技术的角度来看，赋予这些能力的大量高度稳定的酶和膜转运体引起了人们的极大兴趣。然而，由于缺乏经济、可靠和高通量的方法来快速表征蛋白质的功能性质，阻碍了Galdieria蛋白质组学的研究进展，这种阵列微系统的开发将极大地推动功能蛋白质组学的进展，对生物研究和生物技术发展具有潜在的好处。这个多学科项目将通过研究生和本科生研究人员的直接参与、一门新课程的开发以及参与一门新的基于项目的多学科生物处理实验室课程来整合到教育中。此外，将与该大学的多样性方案办公室协调，为K-12学生开发一个教育模块，并将其纳入针对代表性不足群体的学生的方案。

This award is for developing an integrated microsystem platform that can incorporate an array of bio-interfaces into an accurate continuous-use electrochemical characterization system suitable for a wide range of proteins. This system would provide capabilities for protein characterization, including: (1) simultaneous activity measurement for many soluble and membrane proteins, (2) rapid, automated interrogation using multiple electrochemical techniques, (3) microthermoregulation of individual protein sites, and (4) reduced costs per assay. A prototype device will be tested by studying novel proteins of Galdieria sulphuraria, including a phosphate transporter, ion channels, and dehydrogenase enzymes. The genome of Galdieria sulphuraria has recently been sequenced at the PI's university. This unicellular eukaryote is able to grow at high temperatures, extremely low pH, and high concentrations of toxic metals. The numerous, highly stable, enzymes and membrane transporters that impart these capabilities are of great interest from the standpoints of structural biology and biotechnology. However, research progress on Galdieria proteomics is hampered by the lack of cost-effective, reliable, and high-throughput methods to rapidly characterize the proteins' functional properties.Development of this array microsystem would significantly advance progress in functional proteomics, with potential benefit to biological research and biotechnology development. This multidisciplinary project will be integrated into education by direct involvement of graduate and undergraduate student researchers, the development of a new course, and participation in a novel project-based Multidisciplinary Bioprocessing Laboratory course. In addition, an educational module for K-12 students will be developed and incorporated into programs for students from underrepresented groups, in coordination with the university's Diversity Programs Office.