RUI: Stationary phase development for chromatographic analysis of solute interactions with phospholipid membranes

在化学系化学测量和成像计划的支持下，贡萨加大学的埃里克·罗斯教授和他的团队正在开发新的层析方法和材料，用于评估脂双层的结合和分配事件。正在研究的材料是以二氧化硅纳米颗粒聚集体支撑的动态磷脂相为基础的，这种纳米颗粒允许脂双层以及结合了合成和天然受体的纳米体积液相色谱形式进行分析。在磷脂涂层中复制的固体载体的高性能特征和天然膜的动态特性有望扩展当前生物膜亲和固定相的能力，以探索膜和溶液组成对脂双分子内天然或合成毛孔和通道功能的影响，或筛选调节其功能的物质。项目目标包括：从结构和化学上优化用于支持脂质双层和功能性嵌入受体的固定相，优化研究膜分配和与天然和合成的关键模型受体结合的色谱程序，了解与离子通道功能化膜相关的分离机制，以及建立系统和形式与日益复杂的生物膜系统的兼容性。能够用于研究影响生物膜相互作用强度和选择性的因素的研究、成本效益和时间效益技术的进展，有可能广泛影响研究这一关键生物界面的科学领域，而现有模型系统的各种分析限制阻碍了这一领域的研究。让本科生参与研究项目的所有方面，最早从大二开始，一直持续到毕业，将为主要来自西北内陆农村地区的学生提供应用材料和生物分析科学方面的结构化和高级培训。合作项目的多年参与将允许本科生研究人员在他们的科学技能和能力增长时参与垂直指导角色。

With support from the Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program in the Division of Chemistry, Professor Eric Ross and his group at Gonzaga University are developing new chromatography methods and materials for the evaluation of binding and partitioning events at lipid bilayers. The materials under study are based on dynamic phospholipid phases supported on aggregates of silica nanoparticles which allow lipid bilayers and incorporated synthetic and natural receptors to be assayed in a nano-volume liquid chromatography format. The high-performance features of the solid support and the dynamic properties of natural membranes that are replicated in the phospholipid coatings promise to extend the capabilities of current biomembrane affinity stationary phases to probe the influence of membrane and solution composition on the function of natural or synthetic pores and channels within lipid bialyers or to screen substances that modulate their function. Project goals include structurally and chemically optimizing the stationary phases for the support of lipid bilayers and functional embedded receptors, optimizing chromatographic procedures for studies of membrane partitioning and binding with key model receptors both natural and synthetic, understanding the separation mechanism associated with ion-channel functionalized membranes, and establishing the compatibility of the system and format with increasingly complex biomembrane systems. Advances in research-enabling, cost- and time-effective technology that can be used to investigate factors affecting the strength and selectivity of interactions at biomembranes have the potential to broadly impact scientific fields that study this crucial biological interface which is hampered by the various analytical limitations of existing model systems. Engagement of undergraduate students in all aspects of the research project beginning as early as the sophomore year and continuing through graduation will provide structured and advanced training in applied materials and bioanalytical sciences for students largely from rural areas of the inland Northwest. Multi-year engagement on collaborative projects will allow undergraduate researchers to engage in vertical mentorship roles as they grow in scientific skill and ability.