MRI: Acquisition of Circular Dichroism (CD) Spectrometer

波士顿大学的凯伦·艾伦教授和他的同事们将获得由化学公司共同资助的主要研究仪器(MRI)项目颁发的这一奖项，他们将获得一台圆二色(CD)光谱仪。该建议旨在加强各级的研究、培训和教育，特别是在以下领域：(A)酶的化学和催化机制，(B)蛋白质的表征，(C)天然产物的生物合成，(D)对映体纯化合物的绝对立体化学指定，(E)糖酵解酶突变引起的结构扰动的确定，以及(F)核因子-kappa-b必需调节剂(NEMO)蛋白功能形式的稳定。圆二色分光光度计将产生关于分子结构，特别是核酸、蛋白质和酶等生物分子构象的光谱数据。其测量原理是基于光学活性样品(如DNA双螺旋中的样品)对左右圆偏振光的差分吸收。该仪器将提供分析技术方面的研究和实验室培训，使研究生和本科生以及博士后研究员能够测量有机和无机分子的物理性质。CD分光光度计将被整合到化学和生物系的学生培训中，以及研究分子间相互作用、几何异构体和蛋白质结构的生物化学和分子生物学计划。

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program that is cofunded by Chemistry, Professor Karen Allen and colleagues from Boston University will acquire a circular dichroism (CD) spectrometer. The proposal is aimed at enhancing research training and education at all levels, especially in areas such as (a) chemical and catalytic mechanisms of enzymes, (b) characterization of proteins, (c) natural product biosynthesis, (d) assignment of absolute stereochemistry of enantiomerically pure compounds, (e) determination of structural perturbations caused by mutations in glycolytic enzyme, and (f) stabilization of the functional form of NF-kappa-b essential modulator (NEMO) protein.A circular dichroism spectrophotometer will produce spectral data that provide information on molecular structure and especially the conformations of bio-molecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, and enzymes. The principle of measurement is based on differential absorption of left and right circularly polarized light by optically active samples such as those in the double helix of DNA. The instrument will provide research and laboratory training in analytical techniques that allow measurement of physical properties of organic and inorganic molecules to graduate and undergraduate students as well as postdoctoral fellows. The CD spectrophotometer will be integrated into training of students in the Chemistry and Biology Departments, as well as the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program for the study of intermolecular interactions, geometric isomers and protein structure.