NSF East Asia and Pacific Summer Institute (EAPSI) for FY 2013 in Japan

这项行动资助了佛罗里达大学的迈克尔·舒尔茨在2013年夏天在日本京都的京都大学进行数学和物理科学领域的研究项目。 该项目的名称是“理解聚合物-金属混合物中的结合和分子结构之间的联系”。“主持科学家是Yoshiki Chujo。聚乙烯亚胺-甲基膦酸酯（PEI-MP）是一种阴离子聚合物--一种带负电荷的大分子--已被研究为聚合配体与某些金属结合，特别是放射性原子或放射性核素。然而，PEI-MP与放射性核素的结合在基本水平上没有被理解。该项目是用一个简化的小分子系统研究聚合物系统的各种潜在结合构型。等温滴定量热法（ITC）被用来测量每个结合模式的热力学参数。该信息提供了对哪些分子构型形成最稳定的配位络合物的洞察，即，其在结合不同金属方面是最有效的。了解PEI-MP在基础水平上的结合将允许未来聚合物放射性核素载体的合理设计和改进。EAPSI奖学金的更广泛的影响包括为研究员提供美国以外的第一手研究经验;介绍各自所在地的科学，科学政策和科学基础设施;以及社会，文化和语言的方向。 这些活动符合NSF的目标，即在科学家，工程师和教育工作者的职业生涯早期进行国际合作教育，从而确保具有全球意识的美国科学工作者。 此外，该研究员已表现出对本科教育的承诺，让本科生参与EAPSI研究金开始之前所需的科学准备。他将包括本科生在新的研究和合作，从与主机科学家的互动以及结果。

This action funds Michael Schulz of the University of Florida to conduct a research project in the Math and Physical Sciences area during the summer of 2013 at Kyoto University in Kyoto, Japan. The project title is "Understanding the Connection between Binding and Molecular Architecture in Polymer-Metal Mixtures." The host scientist is Yoshiki Chujo.Polyethyleneimine-methylphosphonate (PEI-MP) is an anionic polymer--a negatively charged large molecule--that has been studied as a polymeric ligand to bind to certain metals, specifically radioactivce atoms, or radionuclides. However, the binding of PEI-MP to radionuclides is not understood at a fundamental level. This project is studying various potential binding configurations of the polymer system with a simplified, small molecule system. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) is being used to measure the thermodynamic parameters of each binding mode. This information provides insight into which molecular configurations form the most stable coordinate complexes, i.e., which are the most effective at binding to different metals. Understanding the binding of PEI-MP at a fundamental level will allow the rational design and improvement of future polymeric radionuclide carriers. Broader impacts of an EAPSI fellowship include providing the Fellow a first-hand research experience outside the U.S.; an introduction to the science, science policy, and scientific infrastructure of the respective location; and an orientation to the society, culture and language. These activities meet the NSF goal to educate for international collaborations early in the career of its scientists, engineers, and educators, thus ensuring a globally aware U.S. scientific workforce. Furthermore, the Fellow has demonstrated a commitment to undergraduate education, involving undergraduate students in the scientific preparation required prior to the start of the EAPSI fellowship. He will include undergraduates in new research and collaborations that result from interactions with the host scientist as well.