CAREER: Microtubule Severing Mechanisms

我们在细胞和分子水平上对生命的理解正在导致治疗疾病和替代丧失的器官功能的新技术的快速发展。这些技术未来的成败，关键在于对细胞及其分子有新的认识，培养科学家和工程师综合从不同角度和方法获得的知识的能力，并促进公众对细胞生物学和生物技术的理解。该项目以一种综合的方式解决这些问题，其中纳入了研究和教育的新方法。该项目的研究部分将集中在微管断裂的分子机制上，微管切断对细胞分裂、轴突生长和鞭毛吸收至关重要。利用最先进的视频显微镜技术，将首次跟踪单个微管和单个切割酶的动态。这一行为将与切断微管的基本生物物理机制的计算机模拟模型进行定量比较。此外，将使用光学力来机械变形微管，以确定变形对切割的影响。该项目的教育部分将侧重于提供细胞和分子生物工程方面的实践和互动学习体验。将为来自代表不足的群体的高级工程本科生开发一个综合的研究/教育“未来学院”计划。发展了一种互动性。为美国明尼苏达州科学博物馆进行的亲身实践《激光引导细菌》实验，将把这一研究项目的成果带给公众。视频会议的发展将促进教师、学生和客座专家之间的直接互动，而不受地理位置的影响，这将改善远程教育。

9984955OddeOur understanding of life at the cellular and molecular level is leading to the rapid development of new technologies for treating disease and replacing lost organ function. The future success or failure of these technologies hinges on gaining a new understanding of cells and their molecules, developing the abilities of scientists and engineers to synthesize knowledge gained through diverse perspectives and approaches, and advancing the general public's understanding of cell biology and biotechnology. This project addresses these issues in an integrated way that incorporates new approaches to research and education. The research component of this project will focus on the molecular mechanisms of microtubule severing, important for cell division, axonal outgrowth, and flagellar resorption. Using state-of-the-art videomicroscopy techniques, the dynamics of individual microtubules and individual severing enzymes will be tracked for the first time. The behavior will be compared quantitatively to computer simulation models of the fundamental biophysical mechanisms underlying microtubule severing. In addition, optical forces will be used to mechanically deform microtubules to determine the effect of deformation on severing. The educational component of this project will focus on providing hands-on and interactive learning experiences in cellular and molecular bioengineering. An integrated research/educational "Future Faculty" program for advanced engineering undergraduates from underrepresented groups will be developed. The development of an interactive. hands-on "Laser Guidance of Bacteria" experiment for the Science Museum of Minnesota will bring the results of this research project to the public. The development of videoconferencing as a means to promote direct interaction between faculty, students, and guest experts without regard to geographical location will improve distance education.