A5102787143- Protein Structure and Dynamics
- Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior
- DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
- Advanced Semiconductor Detectors and Materials
- Supramolecular Self-Assembly in Materials
- Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
- Biosensors and Analytical Detection
- Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Studies
- Microfluidic and Capillary Electrophoresis Applications
- Advanced Optical Sensing Technologies
- Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
- Enzyme Structure and Function
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Superconducting and THz Device Technology
- Microfluidic and Bio-sensing Technologies
- Electrostatics and Colloid Interactions
- NMR spectroscopy and applications
- Glycosylation and Glycoproteins Research
- Viral-associated cancers and disorders
- Calibration and Measurement Techniques
- Molecular spectroscopy and chirality
- Advanced NMR Techniques and Applications
- Prion Diseases and Protein Misfolding
- Nanopore and Nanochannel Transport Studies
Leonardo (United Kingdom)
2022-2024
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
2024
University of Tennessee Medical Center
2024
University of Alberta
2023
Birmingham Research Park
2020
University of Birmingham
2006-2018
Manchester University
2018
The University of Texas at Tyler
2017
Scripps Research Institute
2015
University of Warwick
2005-2013
Suitably functionalized dipeptides have been shown to be effective hydrogelators. The design of the hydrogelators and mechanism by which hydrogelation occurs are both currently not well understood. Here, we utilized hydrolysis glucono-δ-lactone gluconic acid as a means adjusting pH in naphthalene−alanylvaline solution allowing specific targeting final pH. In addition, this method allows assembly process characterized. We show that begins charge is removed from C-terminus dipeptide. removal...
SMA-Lipodisq nanoparticles, with one bacteriorhodopsin (bR) per 12 nm particle on average (protein/lipid molar ratio, 1:172), were prepared without the use of detergents. Using pulsed and continuous wave nitroxide spin label electron paramagnetic resonance, structural dynamic integrity bR was retained when compared data for obtained in native membrane detergents then crystal data. This indicates potential Lipodisq nanoparticles as a useful mimetic.
Significance We report a rapid COVID-19 assay that gives sample-to-signal time of under 10 min. The current gold-standard uses PCR, where strands DNA are copied (amplified) many times to generate read-out signal. However, as the virus genome is RNA, first conversion into required using reverse transcription (RT) before amplification. While just sensitive, our faster because 1) we have designed method for generating (the trigger strand) from bypassing lengthy RT step, and 2) quicker...
The delivery of therapeutic peptides and proteins to the central nervous system is biggest challenge when developing effective neuropharmaceuticals. issue that blood-brain barrier impermeable most molecules. Here we demonstrate concept employing an amphiphilic derivative a peptide deliver into brain. key success should by design self-assemble nanofibers wherein active epitope tightly wrapped around nanofiber core. form appears protect from degradation while in plasma, nature promotes its...
Long molecules such as fibrous proteins are particularly difficult to characterise structurally. We have recently designed a microvolume Couette flow linear dichroism (LD) cell whose sample volume is only 20–40 µL in contrast previous cells where the of required has typically been order 1000–2000 µL. This brings requirements LD level it can be used for biological samples. Since difference absorption light polarised parallel an orientation direction and perpendicular that direction, ideal...
Self-assembly in aqueous solution has been investigated for two Fmoc [Fmoc = N-(fluorenyl)-9-methoxycarbonyl] tetrapeptides comprising the RGDS cell adhesion motif from fibronectin or scrambled sequence GRDS. The hydrophobic unit confers amphiphilicity on molecules, and introduces aromatic stacking interactions. Circular dichroism FTIR spectroscopy show that self-assembly of both peptides at low concentration is dominated by interactions among units, although Fmoc-GRDS shows β-sheet...
Amyloid fibril formation is associated with misfolding diseases, as well fulfilling a functional role. The cross-β molecular architecture has been reported in increasing numbers of amyloid-like fibrillar systems. Waltz algorithm able to predict ordered self-assembly amyloidogenic peptides by taking into account the residue type and position. This expanded amyloid sequence space, present study we characterize structures fibrils formed three identified that form but not crystals. structural...
Here we present data on the kinetics of insertion melittin, a peptide from bee venom, into lipid membranes different composition. Another component venom is enzyme phospholipase A2 (PLA₂). We have examined interaction melittin and PLA₂ with liposomes both separately combined demonstrate that they work synergistically to disrupt membranes. A dramatic difference in action observed when composition membrane altered. Temperature also has large effect disruption. use combination techniques...
Prokaryotic cell division is a highly orchestrated process requiring the formation of wide range biomolecular complexes, perhaps most important these involving prokaryotic tubulin homologue FtsZ, fibre-forming GTPase. FtsZ assembles into ring (the Z-ring) on inner surface membrane at site division. The Z-ring then acts as recruitment for least ten other proteins which form apparatus. One proteins, ZapA, to enhance lateral associations between fibres bundles. Previously we have expressed,...
Virus-like particles are unique platforms well suited for the construction of nanomaterials with broad-range applications. The research presented here describes development a modular approach covalent attachment protein domains to exterior versatile bacteriophage P22 virus-like particle (VLP) via sortase-mediated ligation strategy. coat was genetically engineered incorporate an LPETG amino acid sequence on C-terminus, providing peptide recognition utilized by sortase enzyme catalyze bond...
Enantiopure dinuclear ruthenium polypyridyl complexes of the form [Ru(2)(LL)(4)L(1)](PF(6))(4) (LL = 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen); L(1)= C(25)H(20)N(4) a bis(pyridylimine) ligand containing diphenylmethane spacer) have been synthesized using chiral building blocks cis-[Ru(bpy)(2)(py)(2)](2+) and cis-[Ru(phen)(2)(py)(2)](2+). These characterised NMR, mass spectrometry, UV-visible absorbance, circular dichroism linear dichroism. The compounds exhibit good photo thermal...
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) typically have a functionally important C-terminus which, in the largest subfamily (family A), includes membrane-parallel eighth helix. Mutations of this region are associated with several diseases. There few C-terminal studies on family B GPCRs and no data supporting existence similar helix second major subfamily, which has little or sequence homology to A GPCRs. Here we show that GPCR (CLR) disparate from N400 C436 required for CGRP-mediated...
Flow linear dichroism (LD) spectroscopy provides information on the orientation of molecules in solution and hence relative parts molecules. Long such as fibrous proteins can be aligned Couette flow cells characterized using LD. We have measured calculated from first principles LD representing prototypical secondary structure classes: a self-assembling fiber tropomyosin (all-α-helical), FtsZ (an αβ protein), an amyloid fibril (β-sheet), collagen [poly(proline)II helices]. The combination...
The alignment of model amyloid peptide YYKLVFFC is investigated in bulk and at a solid surface using range spectroscopic methods employing polarized radiation. based on core sequence the β (Aβ) peptide, KLVFF. attached tyrosine cysteine units are exploited to yield information possible formation disulfide or dityrosine links. Polarized Raman spectroscopy aligned stalks provides orientation, which complements data from linear dichroism (LD) aqueous solutions subjected shear Couette cell. LD...
Biomolecular detection has for a long time depended on relatively small number of established methodologies. Many these depend the ligand-antibody complex using some kind optical technique, e.g., chemiluminescence. Before this measurement can be made, generally to separated from bulk contaminants. This process involves implementation heterogeneous assay format involving immobilization antibody onto solid support enable washing unbound ligand. approach inherent issues including being slow and...
At the surface of Aβ1-40 amyloid fibrils that have a threefold molecular symmetry (green in left picture) site interaction glycosaminoglycan analogue heparin (blue) was identified. The binding consists residues at N terminus and turn regions defining apices triangular geometry. Heparin has lower affinity for having twofold symmetry, thus revealing remarkable morphological selectivity.
During pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) an abnormal form (PrP Sc ) the host encoded prion protein C accumulates in insoluble fibrils and plaques. The two forms PrP appear to have identical covalent structures, but differ secondary tertiary structure. Both glycosylphospatidylinositol (GPI) anchors through which is tethered cell membranes. Membrane attachment has been suggested play a role conversion , majority vitro studies function, structure, folding...