CAREER: Coordination Chemistry of Zinc-Chelating S100 Proteins and Biochemistry Partnership with a Regional University

该奖项将资助麻省理工学院的Elizabeth M. Nolan博士研究几种人体金属螯合蛋白的锌结合特性，这些蛋白与包括炎症、先天免疫反应、心血管疾病和致癌在内的生理过程有关。蛋白质生物化学、分析生物化学（包括热力学测量）和各种光谱技术被用来表征锌结合位点和测量这些蛋白质对锌的亲和力。在教育和推广方面，诺兰实验室和弗雷明汉州立大学化学系建立了生物化学合作伙伴关系，其长期目标是：(1)改善弗雷明汉州立大学（FSU）的本科生物化学研究和指导，(2)增加FSU生物化学专业继续攻读化学/生物化学科学研究生的人数。为了整合研究和教育，FSU的教师和学生学习蛋白质纯化技术，并在诺兰实验室进行生物化学研究，并开发蛋白质纯化实验室手册。锌是一种金属离子，对生命的许多过程都是必不可少的。该奖项开展的基础研究提供了分子水平上对人类锌结合蛋白家族的了解，以及这些蛋白对人体锌稳态的贡献。研究和推广活动为来自麻省理工学院和其他地方的本科生和研究生提供科学方法、研究和科学交流方面的培训。麻省理工学院的研究生指导外外大学的本科生，这是研究生教育和培训的重要组成部分。这些活动通过提高地区大学的生物化学水平和激励FSU学生继续学习和追求化学科学的职业，为当地社区服务。

With this award, the Chemistry of Life Processes Program in the Chemistry Division is funding Dr. Elizabeth M. Nolan from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study the zinc-binding properties of several human metal-chelating proteins that are implicated in physiological processes that include inflammation, the innate immune response, cardiovascular disease, and carcinogenesis. Protein biochemistry, analytical biochemistry including thermodynamic measurements, and various spectroscopic techniques are employed to characterize the zinc binding sites and measure the affinity for zinc of these proteins. In education and outreach, a biochemistry partnership between the Nolan Laboratory and the Department of Chemistry at Framingham State University is established with the long-term goals of (i) improving undergraduate biochemistry research and mentoring at Framingham State University (FSU) and (ii) increasing the numbers of FSU biochemistry concentrators continuing on to graduate school in the chemical/biochemical sciences. To integrate research and education, FSU faculty and students learn protein purification techniques and conduct biochemistry research in the Nolan Laboratory, and develop a protein purification laboratory manual. Zinc is a metal ion that is essential for many processes of life. The basic research developed with this award provides molecular-level insight into a family of human zinc-binding proteins and into the contributions of these proteins to zinc homeostasis in humans. The research and outreach activities provide training in the scientific method, research, and communication of science to a diverse group of undergraduate and graduate students from MIT and elsewhere. MIT graduate students mentor undergraduates from FSU, which is an important component of graduate education and training. These activities serve the local community by enhancing biochemistry at a regional university and motivating FSU students to continue studies and pursue careers in the chemical sciences.