MRI: Acquisition of an Interfacial Characterization Lab for Biophysical and Biotechnology Systems in Research and Education

Augsburg University, Minneapolis MN

Investigators

Abstract

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation program (MRI), Benjamin L. Stottrup and colleagues Ronald Fedie, and Z. Vivian Feng from Augsburg College, Ping Wang from the University of Minnesota and Adam S. Green from the University of St. Thomas will acquire a Langmuir film balance and imaging system. The proposal is aimed at enhancing research to investigate: (1) basic questions of domain morphology in multi-component phase separated systems, i.e., model cell membranes; (2) the development of new metrics for product characterization which could impact industry; (3) the packing of polymer conjugated enzymes; and (4) the structure and behavior of biogenic materials, such as butterfly wings. Lagmuir-Blodgett techniques are employed to study the interface between two phases such as air-liquid, liquid-liquid or oil-water interfaces and to characterize surface morphologies. The resulting information is used extensively in the fields of nanotechnology, membrane biophysics, materials science, and rheology to understand emulsifiers, enzyme congregation and thin films among other applications. The instrumentation will be used by undergraduates and graduate students in research and course work at institutions in the Minneapolis /St Paul area including Saint Paul community colleges.