Studies of proteins at interfaces and modification of surfaces for biotechnology applications

1)蛋白质界面行为：蛋白质具有在界面处吸附的强烈倾向，这对生物技术的许多领域（例如食品加工、诊断系统、生物传感器和蛋白质分离和纯化）具有重要影响。 需要改进对蛋白质吸附的理解，以便可以根据给定目的的需要对其进行控制。 我们将解决以下广泛的问题：（a）蛋白质表面结合的性质，（B）吸附蛋白质的方向，（c）构象变化和生物功能的改变。我们将研究选定的蛋白质表面系统的吸附动力学和平衡，并开发吸附的机械模型。 该模型将纳入特定的方向和时间依赖性构象变化。在这项工作中，我们利用先进的实验方法，如中子反射计（与NRC粉笔河合作）和方法，需要同步辐射（加拿大光源）。(2)固体表面改性：表面改性在生物技术应用中非常重要，例如生物传感器，生物工艺设备和医疗器械。一般来说，人们希望保持材料的整体性质完整，同时定制表面以赋予特定性质，特别是抗生物污染性。例如，隐形眼镜由于从泪液中摄取蛋白质而逐渐“损坏”。我们在这一领域的研究是基于三个主要的方法：（a）气体等离子体处理的聚合物表面的等离子体聚合，（B）改性的表面使用金硫醇化学，（c）聚合物接枝使用原子转移自由基聚合（ATRP），一种新的聚合方法，允许控制聚合物的分子量分布。重点将放在基于聚环氧乙烷和其他蛋白质排斥剂的非生物污垢表面上。

1) Protein interfacial behaviour:  Proteins have a strong tendency to adsorb at interfaces and this has important consequences for a number of areas of biotechnology (eg food processing, diagnostic systems, biosensors and protein separation and purification).  There is a need for improved understanding of protein adsorption so that it can be controlled as required for a given purpose.  We will be addressing the following broad questions: (a) the nature of protein surface binding, (b) the orientation of adsorbed proteins, (c) conformational changes and alteration of biologic function. We will study the adsorption kinetics and equilibria of selected protein-surface systems and develop mechanistic models of adsorption.  The models will incorporate specific orientation and time dependent conformational changes. In this work we make use of advanced experimental methods such as neutron reflectometry (collaboration with NRC Chalk River) and methods requiring synchrotron radiation (Canadian Light Source).(2) Modification of solid surfaces: Surface modification is of great importance in biotechnology applications such as biosensors, bioprocess equipment and medical devices. In general one wants to keep the bulk properties of the material intact while tailoring the surface to impart specific properties, especially resistance to biofouling. Contact lenses, for example, are gradually "spoiled" by the uptake of proteins from tear fluid. Our research in this area is based on three main approaches: (a) gas plasma treatment of polymer surfaces by plasma polymerization, (b) modification of surfaces using gold-thiol chemistry, (c) polymer grafting using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) a novel polymerization method which allows control over the polymer molecular weight distribution. Emphasis will be on non biofouling surfaces based on polyethylene oxide and other protein repelling agents.