Award details

The biophysics of macromolecular crowding - a comprehensive experimental study of model systems

Reference	E04113
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Wilson Poon
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Peter Pusey
Institution	University of Edinburgh
Department	Dept of Physics and Astronomy
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	190,086
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/01/1996
End date	31/03/1999
Duration	39 months

Abstract

Most in vivo biochemistry and in vitro biotechnology occurs in aqueous media with a high concentration of macromolecules or other suspended/solvated species (e.g. organelles). The resulting macromolecular crowding can have important consequences. Chemical equilibrium, and thus structural adoption, can be significantly altered. Diffusive processes can slow down by an order of magnitude. We propose an extensive experimental program to study phase behaviour and diffusion in well characterised model systems which mimic generic crowded biomedia. In particular, we will probe diffusion using a novel two-colour dynamic light scattering technique which allows us to study optically turbid, concentrated samples. Results obtained should provide a much-needed baseline for any future studies on more realistic systems.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Engineering & Biological Systems (EBS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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