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

授予圣本笃学院和圣约翰大学（CSBSJU）购买圆二色谱（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。一是对CSBSJU本科生进行科学培训，加强本科教学实验室的前沿生物分子表征，每年将达到226名本科生。CD光谱学是CSBSJU跨学科基础实验室课程的一个很好的补充，该课程以仪器为中心。此外，CD光谱学提供了深入的上层部门的研究为基础的实验室经验。该项目将允许所有化学和生物化学专业的学生获得CD光谱学的实践经验，这将有助于他们为研究生院和科学工作队伍的出色表现做好准备。CD光谱仪不仅将加强CSBSJU的研究基础设施，而且还将提供给MDH CURES社区（苹果酸脱氢酶课程本科研究经验，NSF #2119918）的中西部区域中心的一部分，该中心由该资助的PI领导。这将为来自资源不足机构的学生提供更多的机会，因为这是MDH CURES社区的重点。预计后者的伙伴关系将导致加强合作课程和本科生的研究机会。此外，由于CSBSJU是AEOP（陆军教育外展计划）学徒网站，来自当地学校的高中生和在STEM中历史上服务不足和代表性不足的背景识别也将有机会使用CD光谱仪，因为该项目的共同PI指导CSBSJU的AEOP，该项目的PI和共同PI已经并将继续，该项目的智力优势集中在推进四个本科生研究小组对生物分子结构和稳定性的研究。这些项目包括了解肽和模型蛋白在通过自组装形成的图案表面上的相互作用;内源性神经甾体对离子型谷氨酸受体的结构和调节;苹果酸脱氢酶的蛋白质工程，以纳入构象变化的荧光报告基因，用于代谢研究;确定超顺磁性氧化铁纳米颗粒与血浆蛋白的相互作用;了解蛋白质的氧化修饰对蛋白质-纳米颗粒相互作用的影响;以及突变型低分子量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知识价值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.