MRI: Acquisition of an Isothermal Titration Calorimeter and a Differential Scanning Calorimeter

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San Jose State University will acquire an isothermal titration calorimeter and a differential scanning calorimeter with this award from the Major Research Instrumentation program. The instruments will enable researchers at the San Jose State University, San Francisco State University, Santa Clara University and Sonoma State University to investigate the thermodynamics of protein hydration, determinants in binding vitamin D receptor, mechanistic studies of the styrene catabolic pathway, metal binding properties of advanced glycation end products, and biophysical characterization of the interaction of bacteriocins with model membranes. Calorimeters measure the heat changes occurring during chemical and biochemical reactions or when materials decompose or undergo a phase change. This provides thermodynamic data which help to understand what is happening at the molecular level. The calorimeters will be used by undergraduates in their research work. They will be incorporated into laboratory instruction providing experimental training for students in this basic technique complementing theoretical discussion in lecture classes.