Structure and Dynamics of Biomaterials

生物材料的结构和动力学

• 批准号: RGPIN-2016-06450
• 负责人: Rheinstadter, Maikel
• 金额: $ 2.48万
• 依托单位: McMaster University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2016-01-01 至 2017-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=616317
• 关键词: Structure; Dynamics; Biomaterials

Our lab is running a successful, highly productive and internationally competitive research program in experimental biological physics. Our main tools are X-ray diffraction and elastic and inelastic neutron scattering to study molecular structure and dynamics in synthetic and native biological membranes, protein fibres, chitin and keratin structures. We conducted several first time experiments during the past NSERC Discovery funding periods and methodically developed experimental and analysis techniques. Our long term goal is to develop model systems and tools for the study of molecular structure and dynamics in biomaterials on relevant nanoscopic length and nanosecond time scales. Patchiness of biological materials and characterization and consequences of this patchy state of matter is currently a hot topic. We will study raft formation in bilayers made of saturated, unsaturated and charged lipids of different lengths to further investigate the molecular origin and properties of rafts and their interaction with membrane active molecules and peptides. We will further establish synthetic membranes as platform to investigate the interaction of small molecules, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, cortisone, cholesterol and peptides, with lipid bilayers of different composition. We will also prepare the cell membrane of red blood cell ghosts as solid supported, highly oriented membranes to explore the potential of these native biological membranes as platforms for the interaction with small molecules and peptides. We will study biomaterials, such as protein fibres, squid pens and bug shells and hair, to study the organization of their elementary building blocks, such as proteins, chitin and keratin, into secondary structures, such as coiled coils, beta-sheets, nano-crystallites and nano-fibrils in-situ and relate molecular organization to macroscopic function. As part of the origins of life research, we will study the organization of nucleotides and RNA and DNA fragments in contact with biological surfaces, clays and inorganic salts to study the formation of RNA-like structures under prebiotic conditions. The new Origins of Life Laboratory will provide unique equipment to mimic early earth conditions and rapid aging. The proposed experiments will be conducted in our Laboratory for Membrane and Protein Dynamics, the Origins of Life Laboratory, the Canadian Neutron Beam Centre at Chalk River and international neutron sources in the US and Europe. Travel to these world-class facilities is an important component of the proposal. We run a highly efficient training program of HQP on the high school, undergraduate and graduate level resulting in a high scientific output. Presentations at conferences and conducting scientific experiments at national and international facilities significantly contribute to the training of HQP.

我们的实验室正在运行一个成功的，高效的和具有国际竞争力的实验生物物理研究计划。我们的主要工具是X射线衍射和弹性和非弹性中子散射，以研究合成和天然生物膜，蛋白质纤维，甲壳素和角蛋白结构的分子结构和动力学。在过去的NSERC探索资助期间，我们进行了几次首次实验，并有条不紊地开发了实验和分析技术。我们的长期目标是开发模型系统和工具，用于在相关的纳米尺度和纳秒时间尺度上研究生物材料的分子结构和动力学。 生物材料的片状性以及这种片状物质状态的表征和后果是目前的一个热门话题。我们将研究由饱和、不饱和和不同长度的带电脂质组成的双层膜中筏的形成，以进一步研究筏的分子起源和性质及其与膜活性分子和肽的相互作用。 我们将进一步建立合成膜作为平台，研究小分子，如阿司匹林，布洛芬，可的松，胆固醇和肽，与不同组成的脂质双层的相互作用。我们还将制备红细胞血影的细胞膜作为固体支撑的高度定向的膜，以探索这些天然生物膜作为与小分子和肽相互作用的平台的潜力。 我们将研究生物材料，如蛋白质纤维，鱿鱼笔和虫壳和头发，以研究其基本组成部分，如蛋白质，几丁质和角蛋白，到二级结构的组织，如卷曲螺旋，β-片，纳米微晶和纳米原纤维原位和宏观功能的分子组织。 作为生命起源研究的一部分，我们将研究与生物表面，粘土和无机盐接触的核苷酸，RNA和DNA片段的组织，以研究在益生元条件下RNA样结构的形成。新的生命起源实验室将提供独特的设备来模拟早期地球条件和快速老化。 拟议的实验将在我们的膜和蛋白质动力学实验室、生命起源实验室、位于乔克河的加拿大中子束中心以及美国和欧洲的国际中子源进行。前往这些世界一流的设施是该提案的重要组成部分。我们在高中，本科和研究生水平上运行HQP的高效培训计划，从而产生高科学产出。在会议上发言和在国家和国际设施进行科学实验大大有助于HQP的培训。