Switched angle spinning NMR probes and stabilized membrane mimetics for oriented biomolecules

在这个奖项中，化学部的化学测量和成像计划支持Rachel Martin博士和她在欧文的加州大学的学生，开发新的开关角NMR探针和方法，用于研究膜蛋白在其天然环境中的结构，建立在她以前在这一领域的工作。除了开发用于研究定向液体的优化实验和仪器工具外，Martin博士的团队还将开发基于混合脂质双胞的制备和优化模型磷脂膜的方法，这将有助于解决膜蛋白的结构。 这些脂质膜系统是溶致液晶，因此它们本身也是用于研究的有趣的化学系统。膜蛋白对于运输进出细胞的一切物质至关重要，包括营养物质，废物，信号分子，甚至信息。由于它们的多功能性，这些蛋白质对于了解细胞如何生长和交流至关重要。为了了解膜蛋白的功能并找到疾病的治疗方法，蛋白质在其天然环境中的结构，即嵌入脂质膜中的结构是必要的。尽管它们很重要，但关于膜蛋白的结构信息很少，因为它们很难使用传统技术进行研究。Martin博士将开发的复杂实验工具将有助于生成其他科学家开发新药、设计仿生系统以及了解健康生物过程与疾病状态发展之间差异所需的膜蛋白结构信息。马丁致力于通过参与她在加州大学欧文分校的研究计划，在从科学素养到科学政策等问题上培养多元化和国际化的劳动力。 该教育计划包括几个组成部分，包括研究生和本科生的培训，以及在UCI LEAPS计划框架内向6-12年级的初中和高中学生推广。我们的目标是通过在马丁博士的实验室接待学生来增加对科学的兴趣，并通过实践活动和与本科研究人员的互动来激发对科学的兴趣。马丁的工作包括化学，生物学和物理学的元素;她将从事从本科到博士后水平的学生在她的工作，并训练他们在跨学科界限的思维和解决问题。

In this award, the Chemical Measurements and Imaging program of the Chemistry Division supports Dr. Rachel Martin and her students at the University of California at Irvine, to develop novel switched-angle NMR probe and methodology for studying the structure of membrane proteins in their native environment, building on her previous work in this area. In addition to developing experimental and instrumental tools that are optimized for studying oriented liquids, Dr. Martin's group will develop methods for preparing and optimizing model phospholipid membranes based on mixed lipid bicelles, which will facilitate solving the structures of membrane proteins. These lipid membrane systems are lyotropic liquid crystals, and as such they also are themselves an interesting chemical system for study. Membrane proteins are essential for transport of everything that passes in or out of a cell, including nutrients, waste, signaling molecules, and even information. Due to their multi-functionality, these proteins are critical to understanding how cells grow and communicate. In order to understand the function of membrane proteins and find cures for diseases, the structure of the protein in its native environment, that is, embedded in a lipid membrane, is necessary. Despite their importance, there is a paucity of structural information about membrane proteins, because they are difficult to study using traditional techniques. The sophisticated experimental tools that Dr. Martin will develop will help generate the structural information about membrane proteins other scientists need to develop new pharmaceuticals, engineer biomimetic systems, and understand the differences between healthy biological processes and the development of disease states. Dr. Martin is committed to training a diverse and international workforce in issues ranging from scientific literacy to science policy through participation in her research program at UC Irvine. The educational plan comprises several components, including training of graduate and undergraduate students, as well as outreach to middle school and high school students in grades 6-12 in the framework of UCI's LEAPS program. The goals are increasing interest in science by hosting students in Dr. Martin's lab, and piquing interest in science via hands-on activities and interaction with undergraduate researchers. Dr. Martin's work comprises elements of chemistry, biology, and physics; she will engage students from the undergraduate to the postdoctoral level in her work, and train them in thinking and problem solving across disciplinary boundaries.