Cellular NADH Fluorescence as a Metabolic Indicator under Pressure: Piezophysiological Studies at a Predominantly-Undergraduate Physics Department

在该项目中，PI将在俄亥俄州的迈阿密大学以本科生为主的物理系开发细胞生物物理学项目。通过让学生参与研究过程的各个阶段，重点将放在以发现为导向的学习和本科奖学金上。研究活动的重点是高静水压力下的细胞生物物理研究。教育活动将与研究目标协同，并将强调研究指导和发现元素融入STEM和非STEM专业的生物物理课程。PI将在体内研究对静水压力的生理反应。将通过监测代谢辅因子（如还原型烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸（NADH））的内源性荧光来评估与呼吸和线粒体功能相关的细胞能量代谢。该项目的主要目标是表征在环境压力下定义良好的代谢条件下来自模型细胞系统的游离/结合NADH荧光。其结果将是识别压力敏感的代谢状态。PI将继续为指导本科生建立良好的记录，这些本科生将成为完成研究项目的关键参与者。

In this project the PI will develop a cellular biophysics program at the predominantly-undergraduate Physics Department at Miami University in Ohio. By involving students in all stages of the research process, emphasis will be on discovery-oriented learning and undergraduate scholarship. The research activities focus on cellular biophysical studies at high hydrostatic pressures. The educational activities will be synergistic with research goals and will emphasize research mentoring and integration of discovery elements into biophysics courses for STEM and non-STEM majors. The PI will study physiological responses, in vivo, to hydrostatic pressure. Cellular energy metabolism related to respiration and mitochondrial function will be assessed by monitoring endogenous fluorescence from metabolic co-factors such as reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). The main goal of this project is to characterize free/bound NADH fluorescence from a model cellular system under metabolic conditions that are well defined under ambient pressure. The outcome will be the identification of pressure-sensitive metabolic states. The PI will continue to build a strong record for mentoring undergraduates who will be key participants in completing the research project.