Urbana Campus Research Calendar (OVCRI)

Title: "Local Electrostatic Properties of Lipid Bilayers,Lipid-Protein Systems, and Bio-Nano Hybrid Materials by Spin Labeling EPR."

Speaker: Tatyana Smirnova, Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University

Rational design of new bio-nano hybrid systems incorporating cellular membranes calls for understanding
and accounting for the influence of nano support and nano confinement on the structure and properties of lipid bilayers, lipid-solid, and lipid-protein interfaces. Further progress in this field requires development of spectroscopic methods capable of characterizing highly heterogenous interfaces and, particularly, water
presence and interfacial electrostatic properties – all with high spatial resolution. The goal of our work is to develop spin-labeling EPR methods for assessing lipid membrane surface potential, local environment at the protein-membrane interface, and water penetration along this interface and their effect on effective pKa of model ionizable groups at membrane-protein surface. I will report on our recent progress in the use of pHsensitive ionizable EPR labels and related spectroscopic methods to 1) profile a heterogeneous dielectric environment along the α-helix of a WALP peptide inserted into a lipid bilayer and 2) assess the effects of solid support and, specifically, silica nanoparticles on lipid membrane potential and effective pKa of model membrane-burred ionizable sidechains.

This meeting is free and open to the public. Attend in person at 3269 Beckman Institute or join via Zoom: https://illinois.zoom.us/j/88315635604? pwd=MDZmUk9pYzZQMXhJV2FzSm1uSWVSdz09  

The event will take place at 3:00 pm. on June 6.