Novel Bioactive Enzyme-DNA-Inorganic Materials

康涅狄格大学的这一奖项由材料研究部的生物材料项目资助，并由化学部的无机生物无机有机物项目共同资助。 有了这个奖项，PI将在分子水平上使用短链DNA研究酶-固体相互作用，以提高固体结合酶的催化性能，并将促进蛋白质沿DNA螺旋沿着三维组装。与DNA短链结合的酶和蛋白质将嵌入层状固体、磷酸锆（IV）和膦酸锆（ZrRPO3.nH2O，ZrRP）的通道中。 虽然插入方法简单易行，但共价方法在固体和蛋白质之间提供了稳健、可逆、间接的连接。在DNA/酶结合之前，通过固体支持物表面功能的化学修饰，将系统地优化酶-固体相互作用的性质和强度。 制备的纳米生物材料将在结合，XRD，SPR和量热研究中进行表征。 蛋白质-DNA-固体接触将通过蛋白质切割研究来鉴定，并且将研究DNA在改善结合蛋白质性质中的作用。早期的研究表明，许多酶和蛋白质对双链DNA具有高亲和力，与DNA结合不会扭曲蛋白质结构或酶活性。从这些研究中获得的知识对于合理设计新材料以最大限度地发挥酶的功能至关重要。酶是一种有吸引力的生物催化剂，具有高的化学选择性、区域选择性、立体选择性和手性选择性，并且酶与环境相容。 但是，由于酶对反应条件（pH、温度、溶剂等）的敏感性、高价格和有限的可用性，在实验室中使用酶的令人兴奋的可能性受到严重限制。 将酶固定在固体上可以克服这些限制。PI参与大学内外的研究生和本科生教育推广活动。 有了这个奖项，PI将提供化学和生物学方面的培训和教育推广综合活动，包括生物系统中的电子传输，生物材料，生物热量测定和DNA/蛋白质结构。这些教育活动预计将丰富研究生，本科生，以及高中学生。作为该奖项的一部分，PI将继续参与由PI部门开发的“孩子也是科学家”计划;高中生的“导师连接”计划; NSF REU计划（夏季）以及本科生的ChemIntern计划（学年）。 PI将继续为网络开发电子课件，以补充研究生和本科生教育课程。

This award to University of Connecticut is funded by the Biomaterials program in the Division of Materials Research and co-funded by the Inorganic Bioinorganic Organometallic program in the Division of Chemistry. With this award, the PI will study enzyme-solid interactions at the molecular level using short strands of DNA to improve the catalytic properties of solid-bound enzymes, and will facilitate protein assembly in 3-dimensions along the DNA helices. Enzymes and proteins bound to short strands of DNA will be intercalated in the galleries of layered solids, Zirconium (IV) phosphate and phosphonates (ZrRPO3.nH2O, ZrRP). While the intercalation method is simple and facile, the covalent approach provides robust, reversible, indirect link between the solid and the protein. The nature as well as the strength of the enzyme-solid interactions will be optimized systematically by the chemical modification of the solid support surface functions, prior to DNA/enzyme binding. Nanobiomaterials prepared will be characterized in binding, XRD, SPR and calorimetry studies. Protein-DNA-solid contacts will be identified by protein cleavage studies, and the role of DNA in improving the bound protein properties will be investigated. Earlier studies have demonstrated that numerous enzymes and proteins have high affinity for double stranded DNA, and binding to DNA did not distort the protein structure or enzyme activity. The knowledge developed from these studies would be crucial for the rational design of new materials to maximize enzyme function. Enzymes are attractive biocatalysts, which show high chemo-, regio-, stereo-, and chiral selectivities, and enzymes are environmentally compatible. But the exciting possibility of using enzymes in the laboratory is severely limited due to the sensitivity of enzymes to the reaction conditions (pH, temperature, solvents, etc), high price, and limited availability. Immobilizing enzymes on solids can overcome some of these limitations.The PI is involved in educational outreach activities within and outside the university both at the graduate and undergraduate level. With this award, the PI will provide training and educational outreach integrated activities in Chemistry and Biology, including electron transport in biological systems, biomaterials, biocalorimetry and DNA/protein structures. These educational activities are expected to enrich the graduate, undergraduate, as well as high school students. As part of this award, the PI will continue to participate in the "Kids are Scientists Too" program, which was developed by the PIs department; the "Mentor Connection" program for high school students; and the NSF REU program (summer) as well as ChemIntern Program (academic year) for undergraduate students. The PI will continue to develop electronic courseware for the web to supplement graduate and undergraduate education courses.