MRI: Acquisition of an Isothermal Titration Calorimeter for the Characterization of Molecular Interactions to Support Research and Undergraduate Education

通过主要研究仪器（MRI）计划（MRI）和化学研究仪器和设施（CRIF）计划的这项奖励，凯特林大学将获得一个等温扫描量热计（ITC）。等温滴定量热法已成为一种获得分子相互作用定量热力学信息的有力技术。它是通过灵敏地测量一种化合物在使用另一种化合物滴定时产生或吸收的热量来实现的。这有助于了解化合物之间相互作用的强度和结构。蛋白质，核酸，脂质，小分子，金属，纳米颗粒，聚合物溶解或悬浮在水或选择非水溶剂之间的结合是可访问的，使ITC非常通用。在凯特林大学，本科生也将在他们的研究项目中使用该仪器。它将被纳入实验课程，为学生提供几个学科的培训。它将用于示范，并在初高中学生的推广项目中实际使用。该提案旨在加强研究，特别是在以下领域：(a)研究蛋白质-小分子结合，以解释Yersina磷酸酶YopH的分子进化；(b)阐明儿茶素、蛋白质-金属复合物结合的潜在细胞色素c依赖性心血管疾病保护机制；(c)测定血清蛋白对抗癌Ru(II)-单芳烃复合物的亲和力；(d)确定一种已知调节基因表达的布氏体蛋白的RNA序列特异性的蛋白质-RNA结合；(e)研究小分子-纳米颗粒结合，以了解三水合乙酸钠用于非电孵育毯的热性能。

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program (MRI) and the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program, Kettering University will acquire an isothermal scanning calorimeter (ITC). Isothermal titration calorimetry has become a powerful technique for obtaining quantitative thermodynamic information about molecular interactions. It does so by sensitively measuring heat generated or absorbed by a compound upon titration using another compound. This leads to understanding the strength and structure of the interaction between the compounds. Binding between proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, small molecules, metals, nanoparticles, and polymers dissolved or suspended in aqueous or select non-aqueous solvents are accessible, making ITC extremely versatile. At Kettering University, the instrument will also be used by undergraduate students in their research projects. It will be incorporated into laboratory courses to provide training to students in several disciplines. It will be used in demonstrations and in hands on usage in outreach programs for middle and high school students. The proposal is aimed at enhancing research especially in areas such as (a) investigating protein-small molecule binding to explain the molecular evolution of the Yersina phosphatase YopH; (b) elucidating potential cytochrome c-dependent cardiovascular disease protection mechanisms for catechins, protein-metal complex binding; (c) determining the affinity of blood serum proteins for anti-cancer Ru(II)-mono-arene complexes; (d) determining protein-RNA binding for RNA sequence specificity of a T. brucei protein known to regulate gene expression and (e) studying small molecule-nanoparticle binding to understand the thermal properties of sodium acetate trihydrates for their use in non-electric incubating blankets.