Dimerization of Tryptophan Sidechains in Peptides and Proteins

这是一个教师早期职业项目。在研究中，这项工作将研究蛋白质中的二色氨酸交联单元。二色原具有高度荧光性，因此很容易被检测到。荧光将在具有约束几何的模型系统中进行研究。组合化学将用于优化二色氨酸发色团的形成。这项工作将确定多肽内色氨酸二聚化的结构后果。蛋清溶菌酶将被用作底物，这项工作将证明二色氨酸单位的荧光可以偶联到抗体结合。在教育方面，VanVranken博士将开发一个研究生班，将有机化学的先进概念应用于生物学，将组织一个生物/化学界面的研讨会，并将指导小型学院的学生和少数民族学生进行研究。这个项目将开发一种光启动技术来稳定蛋白质的结构。荧光探针将被用于研究生物事件。该项目将在化学/生物界面开展教育活动，并将涉及指导少数民族学生和小型学院的学生。

This is a Faculty Early Career project. In research, the work will study ditryptophan crosslinking units within proteins. The ditryptophans are highly fluorescent and easily detected for that reason. The fluorescence will be studied in model systems with constrained geometries. Combinatorial chemistry will be used to optimize the ditryptophan chromophore formation. The work will determine the structural consequences of tryptophan dimerization within peptides. Hen egg white lysozyme will be used as a substrate and the work will demonstrate that fluorescence of ditryptophan units can be coupled to antibody binding. In education, Dr. VanVranken will develop a graduate class which applies advanced concepts in organic chemistry to biology, will organize a seminar at the biology/chemistry interface, and will mentor students from small colleges and minority students in research. This project will develop a light-initiated technique for stabilizing the structure of proteins. A fluorescent probe will result and it will be used to study biological events. The project will develop educational activities at the chemistry/biology interface and will involve mentoring minority students and students from small colleges.