Replacement Light Scattering Instrument and Capability Enhancement – Measuring Biomolecular Size and Surface Charge

我们建议购买一个纳米级动态光散射系统（特别是Malvern Zetasizer纳米ZSP），以取代我们2003年购买的损坏的设备，并提高我们检测溶液中生物分子几种特性的能力。表征生物分子的大小和分子量在各个领域都有应用，这反映在申请人不同的研究兴趣和专业知识上。格拉瑟实验室对了解植物蛋白（称为脱氢蛋白）如何能够保护细胞膜免受寒冷和干旱造成的损害感兴趣；Zetasizer将用于阐明脱水剂如何防止膜融合引起的膜损伤。荷兰大学实验室将使用该装置来测量植物糖原的大小，植物糖原是一种高度分支的糖聚合物，是生物活性分子的载体。Brown和Ladizhansky实验室将研究膜蛋白-膜复合物的制备，这是进行高分辨率结构研究之前的必要步骤。除了蛋白质和碳水化合物，Zetasizer还将被工程师用于研究废物的处理。Pensini实验室使用化学工程方法使用可切换的表面活性剂处理污染场地的废物，而Abbassi实验室处理废水。Zetasizer将用于测量样品的大小和电荷，以优化这两种废物的处理和分离。

We propose to purchase a nano-scale dynamic light scattering system (specifically a Malvern Zetasizer nano ZSP) to both replace our broken unit purchased in 2003 and to increase our capability to examine several properties of biomolecules in solution. Characterizing the size and molecular weight of biomolecules has applications in diverse fields as is reflected in the diverse research interests and expertise of the applicants. The Graether lab is interested in understanding how plant proteins, named dehydrins, are able to protect cell membranes from damage caused by cold and drought; the Zetasizer will be used to elucidate how dehydrins prevent membrane damage caused by membrane fusion. The Dutcher lab will use the unit to measure the size of phytoglycogen, a highly branched sugar polymer, as a carrier for bioactive molecules. The Brown and Ladizhansky labs will examine the preparation of membrane protein – membrane complexes, a necessary step before carrying out high-resolution structural studies. Beyond proteins and carbohydrates, the Zetasizer will be used by engineers to study the treatment of waste. The Pensini lab uses chemical engineering methods to treat waste at contaminated sites using switchable surfactants, while the Abbassi lab treats wastewater. The Zetasizer will be used to measure both the size and charge of samples to optimize the treatment and separation of these two kinds of waste.