Events for January 12, 2007
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Protein Mobility, Filtering, and Separation in Model Cell Membranes
Fri, Jan 12, 2007 @ 01:00 PM
Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Graduate SeminarProtein Mobility, Filtering, and Separation in Model Cell MembranesDr. Susan Daniel
Department of Chemistry
Texas A&M UniversityAbstract
Investigating how biomolecules behave in cell membranes gives us insight that can be used
to create better assays, sensors, and devices that mimic the cell surface. Applications for
these devices include rapid combinatorial analysis of drug targets, biosensors for toxin
detection, and proteomics research. Solid-supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) are an excellent
platform for mimicking the surface chemistry of cells. However, there are several drawbacks
to these platforms. First, proteins can lose their mobility in these systems, impairing their
function. Second, there is no good way to discriminate between analytes that bind to the
same surface ligand within these platforms. Third, separation, purification, and formation of
arrays of membrane species is difficult, impeding the progress of rapid combinatorial
assaying of membrane proteins.
Results will be presented on studies conducted to understand these issues and strategies to
overcome them. By investigating the behavior of protein-protein interactions on SLBs, we
found that protein-packing influences the point at which diffusion is arrested in these systems.
To improve binding specificity, we devised a system for size-selective discrimination of
protein analytes that bind to the same ligand, by incorporating poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)
lipopolymers into SLBs. Using our platform, we were able to achieve discrimination of
several orders of magnitude. Finally, we developed a technique to separate membrane
species within an SLB: bilayer chromatography. Results will be presented that show our
separation method is sensitive enough to differentiate isomers of dye-labeled lipids and is
currently being extended to the separation of membrane proteins.
Friday, January 12, 2007
1:00 p.m.
HED 116
The Scientific Community is Cordially Invited to Attend.Location: Hedco Petroleum and Chemical Engineering Building (HED) - 116
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Petra Pearce
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
Materials Science Seminar - Microbial fuel cell operation for electricity generation
Fri, Jan 12, 2007 @ 02:45 PM - 04:00 PM
Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Microbial fuel cell operation for electricity generationZhen HeDepartment of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering
Washington University in St. LouisWe have developed upflow microbial fuel cells (UMFC) that simultaneously can clean wastewater and produce electricity. By sufficiently utilizing the inner volume of the anode and minimizing the space between electrodes the power output of the UMFC was improved from 3 to 25 W/m3. We are also working on harvesting electric energy from natural waters (e.g. river and ocean), with a novel design of a rotating cathode in a sediment microbial fuel cell to improve oxygen availability to the cathode. Finally, we have adopted a bacterium found in the normal human gut microbial community whose genome has been sequenced as a model anode biocatalyst to study its genomic variations using DNA chips. First year MASC students are required to attend.
Location: John Stauffer Science Lecture Hall (SLH) - 102
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Petra Pearce
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.
