Objective Research objectives and content Objective: The migration of ions through membranes in biological cells is of prime importance in life processes, and yet information regarding the various mechanisms involved has been deduced without a knowledge of the structure and dynamics of the ionophores and ion channels, embedded within the membranes. In recent years several surface analytical tools have emerged with the assistance of which one may obtain structural information concerning the arrangement of molecules on various interfaces. Such methods have been applied for probing the structure of Langmuir monolayers and phase transitions of these architectures at the air-liquid interface (via grazing incidence synchrotron X-ray diffraction, X-ray reflectivity, reflectance infra-red spectroscopy) and after transfer to solid support (via local probe techniques, transmission electron microscopy, etc.). In this project we plan to design and analyze model systems of membranes at interfaces and probe the structure, and hopefully ion transport properties, of ion channel molecules and ionophores incorporated within these artificial "membranes". The ion transport molecule we shall focus on valinomycin, a naturally occurring ionophore, as well as synthetic ion-channel molecules such as the cyclic peptides prepared by Ghadiri et al (1,2) Training content: The training at the Weizmann institute will enable L. Nedelmann to work independently on molecular architecture at surfaces and interfaces. For this purpose, he will learn various experimental techniques (Languir-Blodgett processes, GID) and be provided with the relevant (bio)chemical and crystallographical background. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopyelectron microscopynatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopy Programme(s) FP4-TMR - Specific research and technological development programme in the field of the training and mobility of researchers, 1994-1998 Topic(s) 0302 - Post-doctoral research training grants TC06 - Surface Science, Colloids & Heterogenous Catalysis Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme RGI - Research grants (individual fellowships) Coordinator WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE EU contribution No data Address Herzl street 2 76100 REHOVOT Israel See on map Total cost No data Participants (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Not available Germany EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data
