Equipment: MRI: Track 1: Acquisition of a Circular Dichroism Spectrometer to Probe Biomolecular Structure and Stability

圣本尼迪克特和圣约翰大学学院(CSBSJU)被授予购买圆二向色性(CD)光谱仪以探测生物分子的结构和稳定性。这个项目有几个更广泛的影响。一是科学培养CSBSJU本科生，加强本科教学实验室前沿生物分子表征，每年将达到226名本科生。CD光谱学是CSBSJU以仪器为重点的跨学科基础实验室课程的一个极好的补充。此外，CD光谱学为基于高级研究的实验室体验提供了深度。这个项目将允许所有化学和生物化学专业的学生获得CD光谱的实践经验，这将有助于他们为在研究生院和科学工作中取得优异表现做好准备。CD光谱仪不仅将加强CSBSJU的研究基础设施，而且还将提供给那些属于MDH治疗社区中西部区域枢纽的人(苹果酸脱氢酶课程本科生研究经验，国家科学基金会#2119918)，由这笔赠款的PI领导。这将为资源不足的机构的学生提供更多的机会，因为这是MDH治疗社区的重点。预计后一种伙伴关系将带来更多的课程和本科生合作研究机会。此外，由于CSBSJU是一个AEOP(陆军教育外展计划)学徒项目，来自当地学校的高中生和认同历史上服务不足和在STEM中代表不足的背景的高中生也将有机会使用CD光谱仪，因为这个项目的共同PI指导着CSBSJU的AEOP，这个项目的PI和Pi共同是AEOP的研究导师，并且将继续是AEOP的研究导师。这个项目的智力优势集中在促进来自四个本科生研究小组的生物分子的结构和稳定性的研究。这些项目包括：了解多肽和模型蛋白质在通过自组装形成的图案表面的相互作用；内源性神经甾体对离子型谷氨酸受体的结构和调控；利用苹果酸脱氢酶结合构象变化的荧光报告器进行代谢研究的蛋白质工程；确定超顺磁性氧化铁纳米颗粒与血浆蛋白质的相互作用；了解蛋白质氧化修饰对蛋白质-纳米颗粒相互作用的影响；以及突变的低分子蛋白质酪氨酸磷酸酶的结构及其与抑制剂的相互作用。在每个项目中，本科生将使用CD光谱仪产生与特定蛋白质的结构、稳定性和功能相关的新知识。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。

An award is made to the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University (CSBSJU) to purchase a circular dichroism (CD) spectrometer to probe the structure and stability of biomolecules. There are several broader impacts of this project. The first is the scientific training of CSBSJU undergraduates and the enhancement of cutting-edge biomolecular characterization in the undergraduate teaching laboratories, which will reach 226 undergraduates per year. CD spectroscopy is an excellent addition to the interdisciplinary foundational laboratory curriculum at CSBSJU that is instrument focused. In addition, CD spectroscopy provides depth to upper-division research-based laboratory experiences. This project will allow all chemistry and biochemistry majors to gain hands on experience with CD spectroscopy which will aid in their preparation for strong performance in graduate school and the scientific work force. The CD spectrometer will not only strengthen the research infrastructure of CSBSJU, but it will also be made available to those who are part of the Midwest regional hub of the MDH CUREs Community (Malate Dehydrogenase Course Undergraduate Research Experience, NSF #2119918), which the PI of this grant leads. This will offer expanded opportunities for students from under resourced institutions as that is the focus of the MDH CUREs Community. It is expected that these latter partnerships will lead to enhanced collaborative curricular and undergraduate research opportunities. In addition, as CSBSJU is an AEOP (Army Educational Outreach Program) Apprenticeship site, high school students from local schools and identifying with backgrounds historically underserved and underrepresented in STEM will also have the opportunity to work with the CD spectrometer, as the co-PI of this project directs the AEOP at CSBSJU and both the PI and co-PI of this project have been, and will continue to be, research mentors in the AEOP.The intellectual merits of this project focus on advancing research in the structure and stability of biomolecules from four undergraduate research groups. These projects include understanding interactions of peptides and model proteins on patterned surfaces formed through self-assembly; the structure and regulation of ionotropic glutamate receptors by endogenous neurosteriods; protein engineering of malate dehydrogenase to incorporate a fluorescence reporter of conformational changes to use in metabolon studies; determining interactions of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with plasma proteins; understanding the effects of oxidative modifications of proteins on protein-nanoparticle interactions; and the structure of mutant low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatases and their interactions with inhibitors. In each of these projects, undergraduates will be using the CD spectrometer to generate new knowledge related to the structure, stability, and function of particular proteins.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.