Structure and Dynamics of Biomaterials

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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.