RUI: Characterizing Protein Nanopores with Modified Caps

化学测量和成像项目支持教授之间的合作。Daniel Burden和Lisa Keranen Burden在惠顿学院（IL）研究单蛋白纳米孔的新修饰。该研究系统地探索了α溶血素的一系列化学添加物，α溶血素是一种纳米孔形成蛋白，在离子和小分子传感、聚合物表征、DNA测序和生物医学分析方面具有潜在的应用。跨学科的工作通过解决单纳米孔运输理论，膜蛋白结构和动力学，合成生物化学和蛋白质纯化的基本问题而获得广泛的影响。大量的生物物理技术，包括原子力显微镜、单分子荧光显微镜、单离子通道电生理学、朗缪尔槽单层测量和细胞裂解实验，被用来表征纳米孔结构和功能。计算机建模工具用于产生新的纳米孔设计原理的理论理解。由于某些蛋白质在细胞膜上形成小孔或毛孔，科学家们最近开始设计检测各种化学物质通过毛孔内部的方法。该项目通过研究纳米孔的结构变化与分子运输之间的关系，推进了纳米孔传感领域的发展。除了对纳米孔科学和工程的贡献之外，该项目还通过创造一个独特的环境，促进来自不同科学学科（包括化学、生物学、物理学和计算机科学）的学生和教师之间的融合，从而实现高质量的本科研究型教育。这项工作对生物医学传感具有潜在的商业意义，涉及来自大芝加哥地区的少数民族。该计划的各个方面将纳入本科课程，包括生物化学，高级分析化学和一般生物实验室课程。

The Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program supports the collaboration of Profs. Daniel Burden and Lisa Keranen Burden at Wheaton College (IL) to investigate novel modifications of single protein nanopores. The research systematically explores a series of chemical additions to alpha hemolysin, a nanopore-forming protein with potential applications in ion and small molecule sensing, polymer characterization, DNA sequencing, and biomedical analyses. The interdisciplinary work gains broad impact by addressing fundamental questions in single-nanopore transport theory, membrane protein structure and dynamics, synthetic biochemistry, and protein purification. A host of biophysical techniques, including atomic force microscopy, single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, single ion-channel electrophysiology, Langmuir trough monolayer measurements, and cell lysis assays are employed to characterize the structure and function of the nanopore constructs. Computer modeling tools are used to generate a theoretical understanding of novel nanopore design principles.Because certain proteins form small holes or pores in cell membranes, scientists have recently begun devising ways to detect various chemicals as they pass through the pore interior. This project advances the field of nanopore sensing by investigating the relationship between structural changes to the nanopore and molecule transport. Beyond contributions to nanopore science and engineering, the program enables high quality undergraduate research education by creating a unique environment that fosters integration among students and faculty from different scientific disciplines, including chemistry, biology, physics and computer science. The work has potential commercial relevance for biomedical sensing and involves under-represented minorities from the greater Chicago area. Aspects of the program will be incorporated into the undergraduate curriculum, including courses in biochemistry, advanced analytical chemistry, and the general biology laboratory.