Chemical Sciences Seminars

New approaches for studying the structure of protein oligomers in lipids and in solutions

by Ms. Simli Dey (Dept. of Chemical Sciences, TIFR,Mumbai)

Monday, April 16, 2018 from to (Asia/Kolkata)
at AG-69
Description
Understanding the interaction between membranes and amyloid protein oligomers is a key unsolved challenge in the field of biophysics. Here we describe new tools to address this challenge. We show that single molecule photobleaching with a home-built Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscope can measure the relative membrane affinity of each type of oligomers. Also, an Atomic Force Microscope coupled to a home-built Confocal Fluorescence Microscope can probe the membrane phase dependant binding of these oligomers.  Separately, fiber-optic in-probe modulation of pH  during an NMR experiment can potentially probe the evolving oligomeric structure.