ElectroProtein - Atomic-scale electrodynamics of protein-liquid interfaces

ElectroProtein - 蛋白质-液体界面的原子级电动力学

基本信息

批准号：
EP/X022471/1
负责人：
Laura Fumagalli
金额：
$ 24.26万
依托单位：
University of Manchester
依托单位国家：
英国
项目类别：
Fellowship
财政年份：
2023
资助国家：
英国
起止时间：
2023 至无数据
项目状态：
未结题

来源：
https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FX022471%2F1
关键词：
ElectroProtein Atomic scale electrodynamics protein

项目摘要

Electrostatic and electrodynamic properties are fundamental physical properties that strongly influence biomolecular structure and functions. In particular, they regulate protein functions of fundamental biological importance, including enzymatic catalysis, protein-protein/ligand interactions, and transport of ions in protein channels. Importantly, they are strongly influenced by the properties of interfacial water layers near the protein surface or confined inside ion channels, which are different than in bulk water. Despite the huge impact, little is known about these properties due to the lack of experimental tools able to probe them on the molecular scale. Standard techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance, dielectric-sensitive fluorescence microscopy, and impedance spectroscopy, lack the required spatial/temporal resolution or are influenced by several parameters that impede direct measurement. Furthermore, theorists struggle to predict these properties and need experimental data to benchmark their theories. A technique able to measure them on the molecular scale in their native liquid environment is much needed. Scanning Dielectric Microscopy (SDM) is a scanning probe microscopy technique recently introduced to probe these properties on the nanoscale. The challenge is now to push its resolution down to the molecular level and apply it to biological relevant molecules. In this project, the fellow will build on previous breakthroughs of the supervisor combining SDM and advanced 2D crystal technology to probe the electrodynamics of protein-liquid interface in liquid environment. The results of this action will allow gaining new fundamental knowledge and formulating better theories of proteins' functioning during complex biological processes.

静电和电动特性是强烈影响生物分子结构和功能的基本物理特性。特别是，它们调节具有基本生物学重要性的蛋白质功能，包括酶催化、蛋白质-蛋白质/配体相互作用以及蛋白质通道中的离子转运。重要的是，它们受到蛋白质表面附近或离子通道内限制的界面水层特性的强烈影响，这与散装水不同。尽管影响巨大，但由于缺乏能够在分子尺度上探测它们的实验工具，人们对这些特性知之甚少。核磁共振、介电敏感荧光显微镜和阻抗谱等标准技术缺乏所需的空间/时间分辨率，或者受到几个阻碍直接测量的参数的影响。此外，理论学家很难预测这些特性，并且需要实验数据来衡量他们的理论。非常需要一种能够在其天然液体环境中以分子尺度测量它们的技术。扫描介电显微镜 (SDM) 是最近推出的一种扫描探针显微镜技术，用于在纳米尺度上探测这些特性。现在的挑战是将其分辨率降低到分子水平并将其应用于生物相关分子。在本项目中，研究员将在导师前期突破的基础上，结合SDM和先进的2D晶体技术，探索液体环境中蛋白质-液体界面的电动力学。这一行动的结果将允许获得新的基础知识并制定更好的蛋白质在复杂的生物过程中发挥作用的理论。