SGER: The Role of Dipole Potential In Mechanosensing

这项探索性研究小额资助的基本概念是，膜的脂质双分子层的固有电学性质（偶极矩）可以作为机械传感器。假设膜的脂-水界面上的偶极势可以检测到由机械应力和流体运动产生的外力并发生变化。偶极电势的变化被嵌入细胞膜的感觉蛋白检测到，并转化为化学信号，产生信号级联，在整个细胞内传递。这项研究有可能不可逆转地改变膜脂只具有结构和保护功能的观点。这项研究更广泛的影响是有可能改变人们对脂质双分子层性质和功能的看法，促进跨学科研究，并培养学生的化学物理技术。一个强大的教育和推广计划将涉及来自圣地亚哥的加州大学和高科技高中的学生。此外，研究结果将通过专业期刊、在会议上传播，并通过一个网站向公众传播。

The concept underlying this Small Grant for Exploratory Research is that intrinsic electrical properties (the dipole moment) of the lipid bilayer of a membrane act as a mechanosensor. The hypothesis is that the dipole potential at the lipid-water interface of a membrane can detect and change in response to external forces generated by mechanical stress and fluid movement. The change in dipole potential is detected by sensory proteins embedded in the membrane and converted to chemical signals that generate a signal cascade that is transmitted throughout the cell. This research has the potential to irrevocably alter the view that membrane lipids perform only a structural and protective function. The broader impacts of the research are the potential to change the view of lipid bilayer properties and function, to promote interdisciplinary research and to train students in chemo physical techniques. A strong education and outreach program will involve students from the University of California and High Tech High, both in San Diego. Moreover the results of the research will be disseminated through professional journals, at meetings, and to the public through a WEB site.