CAREER: Non-Equilibrium Physics of Biological Interfaces

在这个项目中，PI将量化和理解生物膜的非平衡行为和膜耦合过程在动力系统的背景下。这一目标将通过采用物理上重建的系统来实现，这些系统将以一种受控的方式被赶出平衡。这种方法将允许系统和定量研究动态膜组织和非平衡情况下膜相关蛋白功能之间的双向相互关系。目标1：研究基于模拟离子通量的驱动机制，并研究带电膜上多价离子的浓度分布。目的2将重点关注离子强迫下多价脂类的聚集动力学。目的3：研究蛋白质对空间非均质膜中多电荷脂质的调节作用及其引起的膜结构响应。目标4：将解决膜和蛋白质的组合系统在时间和空间上如何在同时强迫下组织的问题。此外，还将开展以下外展活动：(1)启动大学前水平的外展计划，该计划将使用基于生物物理学的工具来改善当地学校的物理科学教育，并将学生与校园中的人和学术研究联系起来。它包括由研究生领导的课堂演示和讲座单元，由高中教师参与的基于实验的课堂模块的开发以及高中生的实验室实习计划。(2)开发非专业物理类生物物理和软凝聚态实验模块。此外，PI还将为高年级物理专业学生和初级研究生开发生物物理学课程。本课程将为学生提供一个基本的基础，使他们能够理解物理学与其他科学领域的关系。它还将使学生在物理科学和生命科学的交叉领域进行积极的跨学科研究。(3)通过参与本项目的研究目标，培养研究生和本科生在生物物理方法和技术方面的能力，提高他们的知识和沟通能力，超越科学学科的传统界限。与所有这些努力相关的详细文件和评估将向更广泛的社区提供

In this project the PI will quantify and understand the non-equilibrium behavior of biological membranes and membrane coupled processes in the context of dynamical systems. The objective will be met by employing physically reconstituted systems that are driven out of equilibrium in a controlled manner. This approach will allow the systematic and quantitative study of the bidirectional interrelations between dynamic membrane organization and the function of membrane associated proteins that arise in non-equilibrium situations. The following aims will be undertaken: Aim 1: The driving mechanisms based on simulated ion flux will be characterized and the concentration profile of multivalent ions at charged membranes will be studied. Aim 2 will focus on the aggregation dynamics of multivalent lipid species under ionic forcing. Aim 3: Study the modulation of protein action on multiply charged lipids in spatially heterogeneous membranes and the resulting structural response of membranes. Aim 4: Will address the question how combined systems of membranes and proteins organize in time and space under simultaneous forcing. In addition the following outreach activities will be undertaken: (1) Initiation of a pre-college level outreach program that will use biophysics based tools to improve physical science education in local schools and connect students to people and academic research on campus. It includes class demonstrations and lecture units led by graduate students, development of experiment based class modules involving high school teachers and a lab- internship program for high school students. (2) Development of biophysics and soft condensed matter based laboratory modules for physics classes for non-majors. In addition, the PI will develop a biophysics course for upper-division physics majors and entry levels graduate students. The course will provide a basic foundation for students and enable them to understand physics in its relationship to other scientific fields. It will also equip the students for active interdisciplinary research at the intersection of the physical and life sciences. (3) By engaging in the research aims of this program, graduate and undergraduate students will be trained in biophysical methods and techniques and they will advance their knowledge and communication skills beyond the traditional boundaries of scientific disciplines. Detailed documents and assessments related to all of these endeavors will be made available to the broader community