| NSF Org: |
CHE Division Of Chemistry |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | September 1, 2015 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | September 1, 2015 |
| Award Number: | 1531247 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Carlos Murillo
CHE Division Of Chemistry MPS Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences |
| Start Date: | September 1, 2015 |
| End Date: | August 31, 2018 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $91,600.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $91,600.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
1700 University Ave Flint MI US 48504-6214 (810)762-9677 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
1700 University Ave Flint MI US 48504-6214 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): |
Major Research Instrumentation, Chemical Instrumentation |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.049 |
ABSTRACT
With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program (MRI) and the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program, Kettering University will acquire an isothermal scanning calorimeter (ITC). Isothermal titration calorimetry has become a powerful technique for obtaining quantitative thermodynamic information about molecular interactions. It does so by sensitively measuring heat generated or absorbed by a compound upon titration using another compound. This leads to understanding the strength and structure of the interaction between the compounds. Binding between proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, small molecules, metals, nanoparticles, and polymers dissolved or suspended in aqueous or select non-aqueous solvents are accessible, making ITC extremely versatile. At Kettering University, the instrument will also be used by undergraduate students in their research projects. It will be incorporated into laboratory courses to provide training to students in several disciplines. It will be used in demonstrations and in hands on usage in outreach programs for middle and high school students.
The proposal is aimed at enhancing research especially in areas such as (a) investigating protein-small molecule binding to explain the molecular evolution of the Yersina phosphatase YopH; (b) elucidating potential cytochrome c-dependent cardiovascular disease protection mechanisms for catechins, protein-metal complex binding; (c) determining the affinity of blood serum proteins for anti-cancer Ru(II)-mono-arene complexes; (d) determining protein-RNA binding for RNA sequence specificity of a T. brucei protein known to regulate gene expression and (e) studying small molecule-nanoparticle binding to understand the thermal properties of sodium acetate trihydrates for their use in non-electric incubating blankets.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
Under this award, a Malvern iTC200 isothermal titration calorimeter (ITC) was purchased in order to enrich the research and teaching infrastructure at Kettering University, a primarily undergraduate institution in Flint, MI. The instrument has been used by numerous undergraduate students through their interactions with it in three separate courses (Biochemistry II Laboratory, Advanced Topics in Chemistry: Instrumentation, and Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics), providing them with access to state of the art instrumentation, opportunities for experimental design, and illustrations of real-world examples to support classroom learning. Additionally, Kettering faculty members taught ITC methodology in greater detail to multiple students who were therefore able to progress various research projects forward. One student, for example, wrote his undergraduate thesis on the interactions of oxyanions with phosphatases. Other students studied the binding of Ru(II)mono-arene complexes (potential anti-cancer agents) to common blood-based proteins, such as serum albumin and transferrin using the acquired ITC and were able to compare these data to those collected by ultrafiltration/UV-vis experiments to conclude that there is likely complex binding events happening. Additional undergraduate students worked with Kettering faculty members to try to understanding the nature of the binding of diphenols (including flavonoids) to the important mitochondrial protein cytochrome c. All of these undergraduates developed important scientific skills while using this modern instrument, helping to prepare them for careers in STEM fields.
Last Modified: 02/26/2019
Modified by: Veronica R Moorman
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