Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ACPNMR (Structural dynamics of acyl carrier protein complexes through combined solution and solid-state NMR)
Período documentado: 2015-09-10 hasta 2017-09-09
In particular, in this project we have investigated systems involved in important biosynthetic step of halogenation (specifically attachment of chlorine). Using multidisciplinary approach including biochemical assays, biophysical methods, NMR, mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography we obtained initial insight for the mechanism controlling the concerned reaction.
As a training and preparation for applying solid-state NMR to the complexes from aeruginosin NRPS we have investigated interactions between curcumin and β-amyloid oligomers. In this subproject, we established presence of specific interaction between curcumin and oligomers by applying new type of cross-polarisation based 2D correlation spectra, where natural abundance oligomers were used. These studies demonstrating specific interaction with β-amyloid oligomers provide basis for search for oligomer binders that could lead to therapeutics in the future. The project was performed in the collaboration with Prof. Oleg Antzutkin from Lulea University of Technology, Sweden whose group have prepared β-amyloid oligomers and specifically 13C labelled cuyrcumin. All NMR experiments were performed in the NMR facility at Warwick University. The publication from this work is in preparation.
Exploitation and dissemination of the results include mostly my attendence in interational conferences and workshops. In 2016, I attended UK 850 MHz solid-state NMR facility annual symposium and The Chemistry and Biology of Natural Products Symposium XI. In 2017, to disseminate the results, I participated in two international conferences, where I presented posters: 1) Directing Biosynthesis Conference V (Royal Society of Chemistry), ""Investigating the interaction between halogenases and peptidyl carrier proteins involved in aeruginosin and cyanopeptolin biosynthesis"", Warwick, UK and 2) ENC conference - 58th Experimental Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Conference, ""Insights into the Specific Interaction of Alzheimer’s β-amyloid Toxic Oligomers with 13C Carbonyl-labelled Curcumin"", Pacific Grove, California. One scientific paper is in preparation, second is planned in the middle of 2018."
At Warwick, I was part of a highly stimulating scientific environment of scientists from all around the world, giving me the unique opportunity to discuss, exchange ideas, and learn new points of view. Moreover, the possibility to have an access to a variety of high end scientific equipment allowed me to perform experiments that I had never had an opportunity to perform before. The possibility to share my experience with Lewandowski group members and to get their rather unique knowledge in biomolecular solid-state and solution NMR was undoubtedly a great opportunity to gain scientific maturity and independence, which are cornerstones for my future career. Now I am able to establish my own research group, become an independent scientist and obtain a habilitation within a short amount of time (I have already full-time position at the University of Wroclaw).
I took part in transferable skills workshops, e.g. concerning open access publishing, proper data management or career planning offered by Warwick Learning and Development Centre. I also attended Marie Skłodowska-Curie workshop (School of Life Sciences) where I was invited as a speaker to present successful approach while writing MSC proposal.
I took part in Warwick School Outreach program (St Margaret's CofE Junior School, Lamington), where I assisted my colleague Marianne Costa. Children, age 10 and 11 together with their parent were introduced to the difficult problem of scientists battle with pathogenic bacteria in an appropriate, accessible way.