Dynamic Light Scattering Device for Molecular Characterization

全基因组序列信息的可获得性为科学家提供了蓝图，这些蓝图编码了将一个有机体与另一个有机体区分开来的各种因素。当从这种遗传物质转化为生物分子时，这些因素以一种精确而令人眼花缭乱的方式相互作用，以延长生命或引发发病机制。其中许多过程的中心是蛋白质。蛋白质是动态的分子，发挥着从提供结构支持到在代谢过程中将分子转化为酶的各种基本作用。为了研究和表征蛋白质的功能，将蛋白质的大小、形状和柔韧性等分子特性与其作用机制联系起来常常是有用的。这项提案要求支持引入动态光散射系统，使威尔弗里德·劳里埃大学的研究人员能够表征蛋白质和其他重要生物活性分子的许多分子性质。该设备将支持生化和材料科学家研究小组，他们寻求表征蛋白质、聚合物、胶束、碳水化合物和纳米颗粒在溶液中的动态结构特性。此外，这一机会不仅将有助于引入一种关键的分子表征工具，而且还将支持启动几种更先进的结构表征方法。

The availability of whole genome sequence information has equipped scientists with blueprints that encode the complement of factors that distinguish one organism from another. When translated from this genetic material into biomolecules, these factors interact in a precise, yet dazzling fashion, to perpetuate life or elicit pathogenesis. Central to many of these processes are proteins. Proteins are dynamic molecules that perform fundamental roles that range from providing structural support, to the conversion of molecules as enzymes during metabolic processes. In order to investigate and characterize the function of proteins, it is frequently useful to relate the molecular properties of proteins such as their size, shape and flexibility to their mechanisms of action. This proposal requests support for the introduction of a dynamic light scattering system that will allow researchers at Wilfrid Laurier University to characterize many of the molecular properties of proteins and other important bioactive molecules. This equipment will support biochemical and material scientist research groups seeking to characterize the dynamic structural properties of proteins, polymers, micelles, carbohydrates, and nanoparticles in solution. Additionally, not only will this opportunity support the introduction of a critical molecular characterization tool, but that it will also support the initiation of several more advanced structural characterization methods.