Real-time insights into molecular recognition and biological mechanisms

我们寻求资金来获得表面等离子体共振（SPR）仪器，以研究生物分子相互作用的复杂结合特性，这是我们研究的核心，包括生物传感器，纳米材料和可用于合成抗生素的酶。所要求的设备将实现新的研究，使我们能够实时测量生物相互作用，从而在一个系统中进行动力学，亲和力，特异性和浓度分析。该仪器将被三位共同申请者的研究小组以及麦吉尔化学和物理学院的其他成员广泛使用。它将继续为每年培训100 - 30名学生做出贡献。******经过使用SPR培训的HQP将能够生成可靠的数据，使他们能够在更有影响力的期刊上发表文章，并随后作为初级研究人员获得更好的曝光率。此外，利用特别方案资源应用的许多技术在工业环境中是非常需要的；因此，使用特别方案资源将使受训者在生物技术和制药工业的职业中处于竞争地位。此外，SPR仪器将有助于在我们的研究实验室中为受训者创建一个协作论坛，为他们提供市场技能，如展示数据、批评结果、交流新发现和想法，以及评估数据质量。HQP开发的这些技能将有助于推动他们在研究和发现以及科学政策方面发挥领导作用。******获得这台仪器将加速我们在几个对加拿大非常重要的领域的研究进展。这些是共同申请者和麦吉尔化学的主要优势领域：绿色化学，先进和纳米结构材料，化学生物学。具体来说，所要求的SPR将帮助我们了解适体相互作用，并使其应用于重要材料和高价值化学品的绿色生物合成；2)实现下一代可切换和多价纳米结构和纳米材料的设计；3)帮助我们确定抗生素生物合成的机制模型，促进生物合成酶系统的合理工程。预计这些发现将对加拿大人的新药设计以及生产重要材料、产品和化学品的新“绿色”战略产生重大影响。总之，我们的研究将有助于为新兴的绿色化学和纳米技术领域带来新的工具和发现，从而保持加拿大在这些领域的世界领先地位。＊＊＊＊＊

We seek funding to acquire a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) instrument to study complex binding properties of biomolecular interactions central to our research, including biosensors, nanomaterials, and enzymes that can be used to synthesize antibiotics. The requested equipment will enable new research, allowing us to measure biological interactions real-time, resulting in kinetics, affinity, specificity, and concentration analysis in one system. The instrument will be used extensively by research groups of the three co-applicants, and other members of McGill chemistry and physics. It will continuously contribute to training of >30 students each year.******HQP trained to use SPR will be able to generate robust data that will enable them to publish in higher impact journals and subsequently lead to better exposure as junior investigators. Furthermore, many of the techniques applied using SPR are much needed in industrial settings; thus, use of the SPR will competitively position trainees for careers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Furthermore, the SPR instrumentation will help create a collaborative forum for trainees across our research labs, giving them marketable skills such as presenting data, critiquing results, communicating new findings and ideas, and evaluating data quality. These skills developed by HQP will help propel them into leading roles in research and discovery as well as science policy. ******Acquisition of this instrument will accelerate our research progress in several fields of great importance for Canada. These are the key areas of strength of the co-applicants and of McGill chemistry in general: green chemistry, advanced and nanostructured materials, and chemical biology. Specifically, the requested SPR will 1) help us understand aptamer interactions and enable their application to green biosynthesis of important materials and high-value chemicals; 2) enable the design of next-generation switchable and multivalent nanostructures and nanomaterials; 3) help us determined mechanistic models of antibiotic biosynthesis and facilitate rational engineering of biosynthetic enzyme systems. These discoveries are expected to have a major impact in the design of new drugs for Canadians as well as new “greener” strategies for producing important materials, products, and chemicals. In summary, our research will help bring new tools and discoveries to the burgeoning fields of green chemistry and nanotechnology, thus maintaining Canada's world-leading role in these areas. *****