Structure-function relationships of supported membranes

Tonya L.教授加州大学戴维斯分校的Kuhl在化学系的支持下开发了先进的分析技术，包括高分辨率同步辐射X射线反射率（XR），掠入射衍射（GID），荧光显微镜和表面力显微镜，用于表征脂质膜的结构和量化负责脂质自组织和膜形成的相互作用力。 将使用系统方法来确定脂质组成、环境条件和底层支持物的化学性质对膜结构的影响。 脂质膜将被放置在pH响应性聚合物垫上，以使蛋白质的掺入不会扭曲其结构。 另一个相关的推力是开发一个脂质膜平台的2-D蛋白质crystallization.The首要目标是开发强大的和易于制造的仿生膜平台的基础生物物理研究和组装的生化传感器，模仿细胞膜的化学和物理环境中的可控方式。 了解这些模型系统为研究生物膜打开了大门，生物膜在使细胞正常功能发挥作用方面起着至关重要的作用。 学生将接受使用先进光子源在化学，物理和生物学之间的接口进行多学科研究的培训。

Professor Tonya L. Kuhl of the University of California-Davis is supported by the Division of Chemistry to develop advanced analytical techniques, including high resolution synchrotron x-ray reflectivity (XR), grazing incidence diffraction (GID), fluorescent microscopy, and surface force microscopy, for the characterization of the structure of lipid membranes and the quantification of the interaction forces responsible for lipid self organization and membrane formation. A systematic approach will be used to determine the effect of lipid composition, environmental conditions, and the chemistry of the underlying support on the structure of the membranes. The lipid membrane will be placed on a pH-responsive polymer cushion to enable the incorporation of proteins without distorting their structure. Another related thrust is to develop a lipid membrane platform for 2-D protein crystallization.The overarching aim is to develop robust and easily fabricated biomimetic membrane platforms for fundamental biophysical studies and for the assembly of biochemical sensors that mimic the chemical and physical environment of the cell membranes in a controllable manner. Understanding these model systems opens the door for the study of biological membranes which play a crucial role in enabling the proper functions of cells. Students will be trained in the use of advanced photon sources to conduct multidisciplinary research at the interface between chemistry, physics and biology.