Structure-function relationships of supported membranes

加州大学戴维斯分校的Tonya L. Kuhl教授在化学系的支持下开发了先进的分析技术，包括高分辨率同步加速器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定量脂质自组织和膜形成的相互作用力。一个系统的方法将被用来确定脂质组成，环境条件，和化学的底层支持对膜的结构的影响。脂质膜将被放置在ph响应聚合物缓冲层上，以使蛋白质在不扭曲其结构的情况下结合。另一个相关的推力是开发用于二维蛋白质结晶的脂质膜平台。总体目标是开发强大且易于制造的仿生膜平台，用于基础生物物理研究和生化传感器的组装，以可控的方式模拟细胞膜的化学和物理环境。了解这些模型系统为研究生物膜打开了大门，生物膜在细胞正常功能中起着至关重要的作用。学生将学习如何使用先进的光子源，在化学、物理和生物的界面上进行多学科研究。

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.