Award details

(A) An FTIR spectrometer for studies of protein structure and mechanism

Reference	JRE10799
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Alan Berry
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Stephen Baldwin, Professor Peter Henderson, Professor Sheena Radford
Institution	University of Leeds
Department	Inst of Molecular & Cellular Biology
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	34,816
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/04/1999
End date	01/10/1999
Duration	6 months

Abstract

FTIR will be used to determine the secondary structure and function of proteins in solution, in membranes and in the solid phase. We will use FTIR spectroscopy in three main areas: (1) Enzymology. FTIR of mutant and wild-type proteins will identify the roles of individual amino acids in, and the molecular details of, the mechanism of the class II aldolases. This will enhance our ability to design mutant enzymes to function as novel biocatalysts in biotransformations and synthetic organic reactions. In addition, the FTIR will be used to analyse the structures of enzymes stabilised for biotechnological uses, or immobilised on surfaces for use in novel biosensors. (2) Membrane protein, structure and dynamics. We will analyse the structure of a wide range of transporters (for sugars, nucleosides, amino acids and antibiotics), trafficking proteins and receptors using FTIR. In addition, conformational changes in these biologically important proteins associated with substrate or inhibitor binding and/or transport will be investigated using novel applications involving polarised IR. (3) Studies of protein folding. The instrument will be used to monitor the conformations of denatured states and partially folded intermediates, particularly of beta-sheet proteins as well as to measure the formation of beta-sheet aggregates in our studies of the molecular origin of amyloid diseases.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Biomolecular Sciences (BMS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	Joint Research Equipment Initiative 1998 (JE3) [1998]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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