Analysing Macromolecular Binding at Biological Surfaces by Surface Plasmon Resonance

细胞表面是细胞与环境相互作用的主要区域.细胞构建屏障以防止物理和化学损害，并调节营养物质和废物的流动。所有细胞都有一个脂膜屏障，在许多情况下，细胞壁由肽聚糖（细菌）或碳水化合物和木质素（植物）构成。细胞表面经常被额外的碳水化合物分子包被，这些碳水化合物分子是分泌的或附着在表面锚定的蛋白质或脂质上。我们正在研究蛋白质和碳水化合物的功能，居住在这些关键接口。例子包括膜蛋白，其功能是将营养物质运输进细胞或将物质运输出细胞;分泌酶，其结合并消化细胞表面的不溶性物质;以及细胞表面感觉受体，其启动信号以通知细胞调节网络。

The cell surface is the major interaction region between cells their environment. Cells construct barriers to prevent physical and chemical damage and to mediate the flow of nutrients and waste. All cells have a lipid membrane barrier, and in many cases, a cell wall constructed of peptidoglycan (bacteria) or carbohydrate and lignin (plants). Cell surfaces are frequently coated with additional carbohydrate molecules that are either secreted or attached to surface-anchored proteins or lipids. We are investigating the functions of proteins and carbohydrates that inhabit these critical interfaces. Examples include membrane proteins that function to transport nutrients in or materials out of the cell; secreted enzymes that bind to and digest insoluble material at the cell surface; and cell surface sensory receptors that initiate signals to inform cellular regulatory networks.