New Applications for Probe Microscopy of Biomolecular Materials

University Of California-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara CA

Investigators

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to develop innovations in probe microscopy of biomolecular materials. The research will integrate both the imaging and the pulling aspects of probe microscopy to develop models of biomolecular mechanics and structures. Specifically, the work will focus on three significant classes of biomolecular materials, and it will examine two types of biomaterials from each class: (1) Highly elastic biological proteins - spider capture silk and HMW (high molecular weight) glutenin -are good model systems for possible improvements in the elasticity of synthetic materials. (2) Protein mimics to be investigated are polyamino acids and a non-peptide triblock copolymer mimic of the abalone protein lustrin; lustrin is the main protein component of abalone shell, which is 3000 times more fracture resistant than concrete. (3) Novel DNA structures to be investigated are telomeric mimics, and DNA-surfactant liquid-crystalline films, which have been used to study photoconductivity of DNA. This research will take a multi-directional approach to make innovations in probe microscopy of biomolecular materials. Probing many systems has been a good approach for maximizing the probability of innovation in probe microscopy of biomolecular materials. Undergraduate students will be involved in the research, and some will become co-authors or first authors of peer-reviewed publications.