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

这一行动资助佛罗里达大学的迈克尔·舒尔茨于2013年夏天在日本京都大学开展了一个数学和物理科学领域的研究项目。该项目的标题是“了解聚合物-金属混合物中的结合和分子结构之间的联系”。聚乙二亚胺-甲基膦(PEI-MP)是一种阴离子聚合物，是一种带负电荷的大分子，已被研究为与某些金属，特别是放射性原子或放射性核素结合的聚合物配体。然而，PEI-MP与放射性核素的结合在根本上还不清楚。该项目正在研究聚合物体系与简化的小分子体系的各种潜在的结合构型。等温滴定量热法(ITC)被用于测量每种结合模式的热力学参数。这些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，即哪些分子构型在与不同金属结合方面最有效。在基础水平上了解PEI-MP的结合将有助于合理设计和改进未来的聚合物放射性核素载体。EAPSI奖学金的更广泛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；以及了解社会、文化和语言。这些活动符合NSF的目标，即在其科学家、工程师和教育工作者的职业生涯早期为国际合作进行教育，从而确保拥有一支具有全球意识的美国科学队伍。此外，该研究员表现出了对本科教育的承诺，让本科生参与EAPSI奖学金开始之前所需的科学准备。他将把本科生纳入新的研究和合作中，这些研究和合作也是通过与东道主科学家的互动而产生的。

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.