SGER: The Role of Dipole Potential In Mechanosensing

这项探索性研究的基本概念是膜的脂质双层的固有电特性（偶极矩）作为机械传感器。 该假设是，膜的脂-水界面处的偶极电位可以响应于由机械应力和流体运动产生的外力而检测和改变。 偶极电位的变化被嵌入膜中的感觉蛋白检测到，并转化为化学信号，产生信号级联，在整个细胞中传递。这项研究有可能彻底改变膜脂仅具有结构和保护功能的观点。 该研究的更广泛影响是改变脂质双层性质和功能的观点，促进跨学科研究和培养学生的化学物理技术。一个强大的教育和推广计划将涉及来自加州大学和高科技高中，都在圣地亚哥的学生。 此外，研究结果将通过专业期刊、会议和网站向公众传播。

The concept underlying this Small Grant for Exploratory Research is that intrinsic electrical properties (the dipole moment) of the lipid bilayer of a membrane act as a mechanosensor. The hypothesis is that the dipole potential at the lipid-water interface of a membrane can detect and change in response to external forces generated by mechanical stress and fluid movement. The change in dipole potential is detected by sensory proteins embedded in the membrane and converted to chemical signals that generate a signal cascade that is transmitted throughout the cell. This research has the potential to irrevocably alter the view that membrane lipids perform only a structural and protective function. The broader impacts of the research are the potential to change the view of lipid bilayer properties and function, to promote interdisciplinary research and to train students in chemo physical techniques. A strong education and outreach program will involve students from the University of California and High Tech High, both in San Diego. Moreover the results of the research will be disseminated through professional journals, at meetings, and to the public through a WEB site.