SGER: The Role of Dipole Potential In Mechanosensing

这一小笔探索性研究拨款背后的概念是，膜脂双层的内在电学性质(偶极矩)充当机械传感器。假设膜脂-水界面的偶极电势可以检测到并响应于机械应力和流体运动产生的外力而变化。偶极电位的变化是由嵌入在膜上的感觉蛋白检测到的，并转化为化学信号，产生信号级联，在整个细胞中传递。这项研究有可能不可逆转地改变膜脂只起结构和保护作用的观点。这项研究的更广泛的影响是，有可能改变对脂质双层性质和功能的看法，促进跨学科研究，并培训学生掌握化学物理技术。一项强有力的教育和推广计划将包括来自加州大学和圣地亚哥高科技高中的学生。此外，研究结果将通过专业期刊、会议和网站向公众传播。

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.