Analytical Tools for Characterization of Protein Binding on Nanomaterials
Wenwan Zhong
Professor of Chemistry
University of California, Riverside
USA
October 4th, 2017
1:00-2:00 pm
665 Huntington Ave,
Bldg. 1, Room 1302,
Boston, MA, 02115
Abstract: While the corona composition is strongly dependent on the synthetic identities of ENM; the structure, pI, and Mw of the protein as well as surface property also play important roles to ENM-protein interaction. To overcome this difficulty, my group has developed several techniques to facilitate the study of protein corona. They include a capillary electrophoresis method for measuring the dissociation constants for the protein-ENM complexes; a screening method that takes advantage of a fluorogenic dye to label the primary amines on protein surface; and a flow field flow fractionation (FlFFF) method to remove the unbound/soft corona and obtain the ENMs coated with the hard corona. Using these techniques, we have found out that the type of surface ligand, the diameter of the ENMs, and their composition can strongly affect the affinity and kinetics of protein binding. Moreover, we studied a few nanoparticle-protein pairs and found binding could induce protein conformational change which may influence on protein’s resistance to protease digestion or impact enzyme’s activity.
Biographical Sketch: Dr. Zhong’s research primarily focuses on 1) molecular detection with new signal amplification techniques; and 2) biocomplex analysis using separation technologies. Her group has been developing advanced technologies to assist with discovery of biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis, in particular, circulating, non-coding RNAs. She is also interested in integrating biomarker isolation and detection so that the analysis turn-around time can be shortened and target recovery can be enhanced. To quantitatively detect biomarkers, Dr. Zhong’s group has developed signal amplification strategies including cation exchange in ionic nanocrystals and isothermal nucleic acid amplification for biomarker detection. Her team has also developed small molecules for in vitro detection of intracellular radicals, and supermolecular receptors for detection of post-translational modification of proteins. On the other hand, Dr. Zhong’s group is leading the study of protein corona by developing various novel analytical methods for analysis of the affinity and kinetics for protein-nanoparticle interaction.
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