Structure and Dynamics of Biomaterials

生物材料的结构和动力学

• 批准号: RGPIN-2016-06450
• 负责人: Rheinstadter, Maikel
• 金额: $ 2.48万
• 依托单位: McMaster University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2018
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2018-01-01 至 2019-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=663278
• 关键词: Structure; Dynamics; Biomaterials

Our lab is running a successful, highly productive and internationally competitive research program in experimental biological physics. Our main tools are X-ray diffraction and elastic and inelastic neutron scattering to study molecular structure and dynamics in synthetic and native biological membranes, protein fibres, chitin and keratin structures. We conducted several first time experiments during the past NSERC Discovery funding periods and methodically developed experimental and analysis techniques. Our long term goal is to develop model systems and tools for the study of molecular structure and dynamics in biomaterials on relevant nanoscopic length and nanosecond time scales. ******Patchiness of biological materials and characterization and consequences of this patchy state of matter is currently a hot topic. We will study raft formation in bilayers made of saturated, unsaturated and charged lipids of different lengths to further investigate the molecular origin and properties of rafts and their interaction with membrane active molecules and peptides. ******We will further establish synthetic membranes as platform to investigate the interaction of small molecules, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, cortisone, cholesterol and peptides, with lipid bilayers of different composition. We will also prepare the cell membrane of red blood cell ghosts as solid supported, highly oriented membranes to explore the potential of these native biological membranes as platforms for the interaction with small molecules and peptides.******We will study biomaterials, such as protein fibres, squid pens and bug shells and hair, to study the organization of their elementary building blocks, such as proteins, chitin and keratin, into secondary structures, such as coiled coils, beta-sheets, nano-crystallites and nano-fibrils in-situ and relate molecular organization to macroscopic function.******As part of the origins of life research, we will study the organization of nucleotides and RNA and DNA fragments in contact with biological surfaces, clays and inorganic salts to study the formation of RNA-like structures under prebiotic conditions. The new Origins of Life Laboratory will provide unique equipment to mimic early earth conditions and rapid aging.******The proposed experiments will be conducted in our Laboratory for Membrane and Protein Dynamics, the Origins of Life Laboratory, the Canadian Neutron Beam Centre at Chalk River and international neutron sources in the US and Europe. Travel to these world-class facilities is an important component of the proposal. We run a highly efficient training program of HQP on the high school, undergraduate and graduate level resulting in a high scientific output. Presentations at conferences and conducting scientific experiments at national and international facilities significantly contribute to the training of HQP.

我们的实验室正在实验性生物物理学领域成功，高产和国际竞争性的研究计划。我们的主要工具是X射线衍射以及弹性和非弹性中子散射，以研究合成和天然生物膜，蛋白质纤维，几片和角蛋白结构的分子结构和动力学。在过去的NSERC发现资金期间，我们进行了几次初次实验，并有条不紊地开发了实验和分析技术。我们的长期目标是开发模型系统和工具，以研究相关纳米长度和纳秒时间尺度的生物材料中的分子结构和动力学。 ******生物材料的斑块和这种斑点状态的特征和后果目前是一个热门话题。我们将研究由不同长度的饱和，不饱和和带电的脂质制成的双层中的木筏形成，以进一步研究筏的分子起源和特性及其与膜活性分子和肽的相互作用。 ******我们将进一步建立合成膜作为平台，以研究小分子的相互作用，例如阿司匹林，布洛芬，可皮质康酮，胆固醇和肽，以及不同组成的脂质双层。我们还将准备红细胞幽灵的细胞膜，作为坚实的，高度定向的膜，以探索这些天然生物膜的潜力，作为与小分子和肽相互作用的平台。角蛋白进入二级结构，例如盘绕的线圈，β表，纳米晶状体和纳米纤维，并将分子组织与宏观功能相关。 RNA样结构在益生元条件下。生命实验室的新起源将为模仿地球早期条件和快速衰老提供独特的设备。前往这些世界一流的设施是该提案的重要组成部分。我们在高中，本科和研究生水平上进行了高效的HQP培训计划，从而导致了高度的科学成果。在国内和国际设施上的会议和进行科学实验的演讲显着促进了HQP的培训。