Bioanalytical Characterization of D-Amino Acids in the Brain

在化学系化学测量和成像项目的支持下，以及生物基础设施系生物研究项目仪器开发的共同资助下，伊利诺伊大学厄巴纳-香槟分校的Jonathan Sweedler教授和他的团队正在开发一套测量方法，以表征单个细胞和其他小分子细胞内的d-氨基酸。多种动物神经系统内的体积域。 使用毛细管电泳分离和荧光和质谱检测，沿着几个独特的高通量细胞采样装置，信息的存在，d-脯氨酸，d-谷氨酸和d-丙氨酸正在确定。除了开发新的酶成像方法和单细胞表征测量，应用于几个精心挑选的动物模型将提供相关的信息的功能的d-氨基酸在整个后生动物的生活。这个研究项目不仅承诺培养学生成为分析化学家/测量科学家，它也为他们提供了重要的教育和研究经验，在生物科学。具有不同背景的本科生和研究生，包括许多女科学家，将积极参与和指导这些跨学科的努力。通过出版物，会议，推广和培训，包括本科生和多学科的毕业生广泛传播的研究，确保这项研究推进我国在科学教育和研究的需求。

With support from the Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program in the Division of Chemistry, and co-funding from the Instrument Development for Biological Research Program in the Division of Biological Infrastructure, Prof. Jonathan Sweedler and his group at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are developing a suite of measurement approaches to characterize d-amino acids within individual cells and other small-volume domains within the nervous systems of multiple animals. Using capillary electrophoresis for separation and fluorescence and mass spectrometry for detection, along with several unique high-throughput cell sampling devices, information on the presence of d-proline, d-glutamate and d-alanine is being determined. In addition to development of new enzymatic imaging approaches and single cell characterization measurements, application to several carefully selected animal models will provide information relevant to the function of the d-amino acids throughout Metazoan life.This research project not only promises to train students to be analytical chemists/measurement scientists, it also provides them with significant education and research experience in the biological sciences. Undergraduate and graduate students with diverse backgrounds, including many women scientists, will be actively involved and mentored in these interdisciplinary efforts. The broad-based dissemination of the research through publications, conferences, outreach, and training that includes undergraduates and graduates from multiple disciplines assures that this research advances our country's needs in science education and research.