MRI: Acquisition of an Isothermal Titration Calorimeter for Research and Teaching

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With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program, Brian L. McClain and his colleagues Eric Marinez, Vasanthy Narayamaswami, Michael Schramm and Paulus M. Weers will acquire an isothermal titration calorimeter. It will be used in a variety of research projects including: 1) effects of drug binding on the structure-function relationships of human serum albumin; 2) alpha-helical peptidomimetics; 3) receptor assisted small molecule membrane transport; 4) molecular recognition of anions and organoammoniums; 5) asymmetric Lewis acid catalyzed organic reactions in aqueous media; 6) hepatic iron metabolism; 7) structure-function relationships of lactoferrin; 8) apolipoprotein E and cholesterol metabolism in Alzheimer's and cardiovascular diseases;9) structural role of apolipoproteins in lipid transport and innate immunity; and 10) collagen derived biomaterials.Isothermal titration calorimetry is used to determine thermodynamic properties of chemical reactions, or of biomolecular interactions such as the binding of small molecules to other species by measuring temperature changes when substances are mixed (titrated). These changes provide insight on the underlying microscopic processes that are occurring, such as the strength of the binding between the two species or the energy released in a reaction. The instruments will be used in research and laboratory classes by undergraduate students. The instrumentation will be located in the Institute for Integrated Research in Materials, Environments and Society (IIRMES) at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). Through the Institute, the instrument will be remotely accessible, providing usability off-site to geographically dispersed users in California, particularly other CSU campuses.