Date/Time
Date(s) - 26/10/2005
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Title: Proteins at Interfaces

Speaker: Dr. James Forrest

Institute: University of Waterloo

Location: ABB 102

Description:

Most proteins in a living object are not well approximated as a bulk solution. Instead, most proteins exist very near to an interface and describing their behaviour must include interfacial interactions. An obvious example of this is when â??artificial â??biomaterialsâ? are introduced into a body. The interaction of proteins with such materials are crucial in determining their final suitability as a biomaterial. One of the most fundamental questions one can ask is how the protein structure changes upon adsorption to a solid surface. In some cases the protein can maintain its biologically active structure, and in other cases it can change into a â??denaturedâ? structure. Many studies have shown that the tendency of a particular protein to change its structure upon adsorption to a solid surface depends on the protein being considered, the surface charge (if any), and surface hydrophobicity. In this talk I will present two topics related to proteins at interfaces. In the first case I will discuss some results we have obtained on protein adsorption on real biomaterial systems (contact lenses). We find surprising evidence or lysozyme denaturing on some commercial materials. I will also discuss our results on how the thermal stability of protein (Bovine Serum Albumin) depends on the curvature of the interface. These studies utilize the sensitivity of Localised Surface Plasmon resonance to see changes in the protein structure.