Real-time insights into molecular recognition and biological mechanisms

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We seek funding to acquire a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) instrument to study complex binding properties of biomolecular interactions central to our research, including biosensors, nanomaterials, and enzymes that can be used to synthesize antibiotics. The requested equipment will enable new research, allowing us to measure biological interactions real-time, resulting in kinetics, affinity, specificity, and concentration analysis in one system. The instrument will be used extensively by research groups of the three co-applicants, and other members of McGill chemistry and physics. It will continuously contribute to training of >30 students each year.******HQP trained to use SPR will be able to generate robust data that will enable them to publish in higher impact journals and subsequently lead to better exposure as junior investigators. Furthermore, many of the techniques applied using SPR are much needed in industrial settings; thus, use of the SPR will competitively position trainees for careers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Furthermore, the SPR instrumentation will help create a collaborative forum for trainees across our research labs, giving them marketable skills such as presenting data, critiquing results, communicating new findings and ideas, and evaluating data quality. These skills developed by HQP will help propel them into leading roles in research and discovery as well as science policy. ******Acquisition of this instrument will accelerate our research progress in several fields of great importance for Canada. These are the key areas of strength of the co-applicants and of McGill chemistry in general: green chemistry, advanced and nanostructured materials, and chemical biology. Specifically, the requested SPR will 1) help us understand aptamer interactions and enable their application to green biosynthesis of important materials and high-value chemicals; 2) enable the design of next-generation switchable and multivalent nanostructures and nanomaterials; 3) help us determined mechanistic models of antibiotic biosynthesis and facilitate rational engineering of biosynthetic enzyme systems. These discoveries are expected to have a major impact in the design of new drugs for Canadians as well as new “greener” strategies for producing important materials, products, and chemicals. In summary, our research will help bring new tools and discoveries to the burgeoning fields of green chemistry and nanotechnology, thus maintaining Canada's world-leading role in these areas. *****