CAREER: Switched-angle Spinning NMR for Investigation of Membrane Proteins

在这个奖项中，来自加州大学欧文分校的Martin博士将开发一种新的开关角核磁共振探针和方法，用于研究膜蛋白在天然环境中的结构。PI选择基质溶素作为最初的靶膜蛋白，它从细胞表面切割其他蛋白质。该教育计划包括几个部分，包括努力建立国际学生对全球问题的认识，以及在UCI的SPIRIT计划框架内向9-12年级的高中生推广。其目标是通过在马丁博士的实验室中接待学生来提高他们对科学的兴趣，并让他们积极参与实验工作。膜蛋白是附着在细胞外部的物质。它们有许多不同的功能，如运送化学物质进出细胞，或帮助细胞与体内其他系统沟通。由于它们的多功能性，这些蛋白质与许多疾病有关。例如，加州大学欧文分校（University of California, Irvine）的马丁博士将研究的蛋白基质溶素（Matrilysin），通过切割肿瘤细胞表面的蛋白质，从而阻止免疫系统将这些细胞识别为癌细胞，从而加剧了癌症。为了了解膜蛋白的功能并找到治疗疾病的方法，必须知道蛋白质在其天然环境中的结构，即附着在细胞表面的结构。马丁博士将开发复杂的实验工具，以帮助阐明这些结构。马丁博士的工作包括化学、生物学和物理学的要素。她计划让从高中到博士后阶段的学生参与到她的工作中来，培养他们跨学科思考和解决问题的能力。马丁博士致力于通过参与加州大学欧文分校的现有项目，在科学素养和科学政策等问题上培养多元化的国际劳动力。

In this award, Dr. Martin from the University of California at Irvine, will develop a new switched-angle NMR probe and methodology for studying the structure of membrane proteins in their native environment. The PI picked matrilysin as the initial target membrane protein, which cleaves other proteins from the cell surface. The educational plan comprises several components, including efforts in establishing awareness of global issues for international students, and outreach to high school students in grades 9-12 in the framework of UCI's SPIRIT program. The goals are to increase interest in science by hosting students in Dr. Martin's lab, and have them actively engage in experimental work. Membrane proteins are substances that adhere to the outside of a cell. They have many different functions such as transport of chemicals into and out of the cell or in helping the cell communicate with other systems in the body. Due to their multi-functionality, these proteins are involved in many diseases. Matrilysin, for example, the protein to be studied by Dr. Martin at University of California, Irvine, exacerbates cancer by cleaving proteins from the tumor cell surface, thus preventing the immune system to recognize these cells as cancerous. In order to understand the function of membrane proteins and find cures for diseases, the structure of the protein in its native environment, that is, attached to a cell surface, must be known. Dr. Martin will develop sophisticated experimental tools that will help in elucidating such structures. Dr. Martin's work comprises elements of chemistry, biology, and physics. She plans to engage students from the high school to the postdoctoral level in her work, and train them in thinking and problem solving across disciplinary boundaries. Dr. Martin is committed to training a diverse and international workforce in issues ranging from scientific literacy to science policy through participation in existing programs at UC Irvine.