Bioanalytical Characterization of D-Amino Acids in the Brain

在化学系化学测量和成像计划的支持下，以及生物基础设施部生物研究仪器开发计划的共同资助下，伊利诺伊大学香槟分校的乔纳森·斯威德勒教授和他的团队正在开发一套测量方法，以表征单个细胞内的d-氨基酸和多个动物神经系统内的其他小体积区域。使用毛细管电泳法进行分离，使用荧光和质谱仪进行检测，以及几种独特的高通量细胞采样设备，正在确定存在d-脯氨酸、d-谷氨酸和d-丙氨酸的信息。除了开发新的酶成像方法和单细胞特性测量外，应用于几个精心挑选的动物模型将提供与后生动物生活中d-氨基酸功能相关的信息。这项研究项目不仅承诺培养学生成为分析化学家/测量科学家，还为他们提供了重要的生物科学教育和研究经验。具有不同背景的本科生和研究生，包括许多女科学家，将积极参与和指导这些跨学科的努力。通过出版物、会议、外联和培训(包括本科生和来自多个学科的毕业生)广泛传播这项研究，确保了这项研究促进了我国在科学教育和研究方面的需求。

With support from the Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program in the Division of Chemistry, and co-funding from the Instrument Development for Biological Research Program in the Division of Biological Infrastructure, Prof. Jonathan Sweedler and his group at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are developing a suite of measurement approaches to characterize d-amino acids within individual cells and other small-volume domains within the nervous systems of multiple animals. Using capillary electrophoresis for separation and fluorescence and mass spectrometry for detection, along with several unique high-throughput cell sampling devices, information on the presence of d-proline, d-glutamate and d-alanine is being determined. In addition to development of new enzymatic imaging approaches and single cell characterization measurements, application to several carefully selected animal models will provide information relevant to the function of the d-amino acids throughout Metazoan life.This research project not only promises to train students to be analytical chemists/measurement scientists, it also provides them with significant education and research experience in the biological sciences. Undergraduate and graduate students with diverse backgrounds, including many women scientists, will be actively involved and mentored in these interdisciplinary efforts. The broad-based dissemination of the research through publications, conferences, outreach, and training that includes undergraduates and graduates from multiple disciplines assures that this research advances our country's needs in science education and research.