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Content archived on 2024-05-29

Membrane proteins in nanometric holes: Real-time monitoring of membrane-mediated reactions by localized surface plasmons

Objective

Cells are highly compartmented by biological membranes. Besides their function as boundaries between organelles, membranes are complex reaction centers with specialized biochemical functions. Although lipid bilayers provide the basic structure of membranes, membrane proteins are responsible for their functional properties. In fact, 25 % of all proteins encoded in the human genome are membrane bound and about 50 % of all current molecular drug targets are located on membranes. Despite their outstanding importance, many membrane proteins have eluded functional and structural characterization due to analytical challenges. We propose to fabricate a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensor based on lipid bilayers suspended over nanoscopic holes in gold films. The ultimate goal will be to incorporate membrane proteins into the suspending bilayers and use this as a platform for studies of protein function and biorecognition. LSPR will enable us to monitor mass changes correlated to the formation of the bilayers, the incorporation of membrane proteins and ligand binding in real-time by monitoring the shift of the absorption spectrum of the nanoholes. Simultaneously, electrical access to both sides of the membrane will provide a read out for membrane protein mediated ion-translocation reactions. Aiming at membrane protein microarray applications, we will immobilize different protein species by controlled fusion of protein-carrying vesicles at recognition elements on the membrane and we will demonstrate the value of the array for screening of ligands.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Topic(s)

Call for proposal

FP6-2005-MOBILITY-5
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

EIF - Marie Curie actions-Intra-European Fellowships

Coordinator

CHALMERS TEKNISKA HOEGSKOLA AB
EU contribution
No data
Total cost
No data