Biomechanics of Actin Networks Regulated by Physical Mechanisms

物理机制调控的肌动蛋白网络的生物力学

• 批准号: 0825873
• 负责人: Jay Tang
• 金额: $ 30万
• 依托单位: Brown University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-09-01 至 2012-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0825873&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Biomechanics; Actin; Networks; Regulated; Physical

Biomechanics of Actin Network Regulated by Physical MechanismsThis program seeks to characterize physical properties of an essential type of protein filament, F-actin, and the network they form to mimic that in cells. The research aims at defining and assessing the interactions between the negatively charged protein filaments from two physical origins: orientational ordering and solution electrostatics. Specifically, experiments are planned to quantitatively determine the effects of phase transitions and weak electrostatic interactions on the morphology, motion, and rheological properties of F-actin under physiologically relevant concentrations. The planned research serves several related missions. From a biological perspective, it promotes understanding of the molecular properties and the physical principles that drive protein assembly and interactions. The knowledge acquired may lead to biomedical applications by manipulating properties related to protein aggregation. From the fundamental physics perspective, various interactions that are of physical nature will be quantitatively defined. The experimental data to be obtained will be crucial for testing predictions from theoretical treatments and computer simulations that are applicable to an important class of systems involving the hierarchical assembly of filamentous macromolecules. From a material science perspective, the insight acquired through this particular system of study is also useful for interpreting similar physical properties in other systems involving solutions or gels consisting of charged and semiflexible polymers. The program, therefore, contributes a general strategy to the characterization of a range of soft materials. Finally, the program provides training in multidisciplinary research at the interface between the nanoscale mechanics and biological science. A collaborative approach is taken to provide research opportunities to selected science students and teachers from local schools.

物理机制调控的肌动蛋白网络的生物力学这个程序旨在表征一种基本类型的蛋白质丝，F-肌动蛋白的物理特性，以及它们形成的网络来模仿细胞中的网络。该研究旨在定义和评估带负电荷的蛋白质细丝之间的相互作用，从两个物理来源：取向有序和解决方案静电。具体而言，实验计划定量确定相变和弱静电相互作用的形态，运动和流变学特性的F-肌动蛋白在生理相关的浓度下的影响。 计划中的研究服务于几个相关的任务。从生物学的角度来看，它促进了对驱动蛋白质组装和相互作用的分子特性和物理原理的理解。所获得的知识可能会导致生物医学应用程序通过操纵与蛋白质聚集相关的属性。从基础物理学的角度，各种物理性质的相互作用将被定量定义。要获得的实验数据将是至关重要的测试预测理论治疗和计算机模拟，适用于一类重要的系统，涉及的丝状大分子的分级组装。从材料科学的角度来看，通过这种特殊的研究系统获得的洞察力也有助于解释其他系统中的类似物理性质，这些系统涉及由带电和半柔性聚合物组成的溶液或凝胶。因此，该程序有助于一系列软材料的表征的一般策略。最后，该计划在纳米力学和生物科学之间的接口提供多学科研究的培训。我们采取合作的方式，为本地学校的理科学生和教师提供研究机会。