Cellular NADH Fluorescence as a Metabolic Indicator under Pressure: Piezophysiological Studies at a Predominantly-Undergraduate Physics Department

在这个项目中，PI将在俄亥俄州迈阿密大学以本科生为主的物理系开发一个细胞生物物理学项目。通过让学生参与研究过程的所有阶段，重点将放在发现导向学习和本科生奖学金上。研究活动集中在高静水压下的细胞生物物理研究。教育活动将与研究目标相结合，并将强调研究、指导和将发现元素融入STEM和非STEM专业的生物物理学课程。PI将在体内研究对静液压力的生理反应。与呼吸和线粒体功能相关的细胞能量代谢将通过监测代谢辅助因子(如还原的烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸(NADH))的内源荧光来评估。这个项目的主要目标是表征在环境压力下明确定义的代谢条件下模型细胞系统的自由/结合NADH荧光。结果将是确定压力敏感的代谢状态。PI将继续在指导本科生方面建立良好的记录，这些本科生将是完成研究项目的关键参与者。

In this project the PI will develop a cellular biophysics program at the predominantly-undergraduate Physics Department at Miami University in Ohio. By involving students in all stages of the research process, emphasis will be on discovery-oriented learning and undergraduate scholarship. The research activities focus on cellular biophysical studies at high hydrostatic pressures. The educational activities will be synergistic with research goals and will emphasize research mentoring and integration of discovery elements into biophysics courses for STEM and non-STEM majors. The PI will study physiological responses, in vivo, to hydrostatic pressure. Cellular energy metabolism related to respiration and mitochondrial function will be assessed by monitoring endogenous fluorescence from metabolic co-factors such as reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). The main goal of this project is to characterize free/bound NADH fluorescence from a model cellular system under metabolic conditions that are well defined under ambient pressure. The outcome will be the identification of pressure-sensitive metabolic states. The PI will continue to build a strong record for mentoring undergraduates who will be key participants in completing the research project.