MRI: Acquisition of An Isothermal Titration Calorimeter for Studying Ligand-Macromolecule Interactions

该奖项由主要研究仪器(MRI)和化学研究仪器(CRIF)项目支持。来自太平洋大学的梁雪教授及其同事Andreas Franz、曾傑瑞Tsai和李晓玲获得了一台等温滴定量热仪(ITC)。该技术用于测定溶液中相互作用的热力学参数。该仪器由封闭在绝热外壳中的两个电池组成，绝热外壳不允许被研究系统与其周围环境之间的热量传递，因此命名为等温，意思是相同的温度。热力学是化学物理学的一个分支，研究热和温度及其与能量和功的关系。量热计用于研究配体与底物的结合和相互作用。在一个实验中，配体是一个小的有机分子，底物是DNA。测量了相互作用的热力学。这种结合数据可能有助于研究可能的药物靶点。各种研究项目由本科生和高中生在暑期进行。来自社区学院德尔塔学院的学生也在接受培训，以使用这种在化学和生化领域有用的现代仪器。该仪器被用于各级研究和教育，特别是本科生。它被用来理解G4配体与G-四链DNA的结合，G-四链DNA是由富含鸟嘌呤的序列在核酸中形成的二级结构。该仪器还被用来验证考虑突起如何适合空隙的旋钮插座蛋白质填充统计模型。蛋白质结合时，多糖和水分释放的构象变化正在研究中。获得的数据是为了了解小分子的结构，这些小分子结构稳定了作为甲状腺激素载体的转甲状腺素运输蛋白。该仪器还用于设计针对表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)的多肽。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This award is supported by the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) and the Chemistry Research Instrumentation (CRIF) Programs. Professor Liang Xue from the University of the Pacific and colleagues Andreas Franz, Jerry Tsai and Xiaoling Li have acquired an isothermal titration calorimeter (ITC). This technique is used to determine the thermodynamic parameters of interactions in solution. The instrument consists of two cells enclosed in an adiabatic jacket that does not allow transfer of heat between the system being studied and its surrounding, thus the name isothermal meaning same temperature. Thermodynamics is the branch of chemical physics concerned with heat and temperature and their relation to energy and work. The calorimeter is used to study the binding and interaction of a ligand with a substrate. In one experiment the ligand is a small organic molecule and the substrate is DNA. The thermodynamics of the interaction is measured. Such binding data may be useful in investigating possible medicinal targets. The various research projects are undertaken by undergraduate students as well as high school students during the summer. Students from Delta College, a community college, are also being trained to use this modern instrumentation useful in the chemical and biochemical fields. The instrument is used in research and education at all levels, particularly by undergraduate students. It is being used to understand G4 ligands binding to G-quadruplex DNA which are secondary structures formed in nucleic acids by sequences rich in guanine. The instrument is also employed to validate the knob-socket protein packing statistical model which considers how protuberances fit into voids. The conformational changes of glycan and water liberation upon protein binding is being studied. Data are obtained to understand the structures of small molecules that stabilize the transport protein transthyretin that serves as carrier of the thyroid hormone. The instrument is also used in experiments designing peptides for targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.