Poster Session I
Project Type
Poster
Project Funding and Affiliations
CTM Summer Undergraduate Research Internship
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Orion Berryman
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Chemistry
Additional Mentor
tony.shelton@umconnect.umt.edu
Abstract / Artist's Statement
Cells use ion transport pathways for osmosis, electrochemical gradients, signaling, and programed cell death. When natural ion channels fail, synthetic alternatives are needed. This project explores the ability of synthetic “transporter” molecules to bind anions (negatively charged atoms) and carry them across lipid bilayers. Preliminary results have shown Hydrogen Bond enhanced Halogen Bonding (HBeXBing) molecules can facilitate anion transport more efficiently than known XBing anion transporter pentafluoroiodobenzene (PFIB). The hydrophobic functional groups clearly increase transport rates of these molecules. We expect that EC50 and Hill coefficients will indicate highly active transporters. Currently the liposome procedure is being optimized to achieve stable vesicles (less than 10% leakage over 200 seconds), which is required for accurate rate analysis. The most recent protocol shows 13% leakage of the liposomes.
To model cellular membranes, large unilamellar vesicles (liposomes) are formed using POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) which is the main lipid component in mammalian cells. The liposomes are loaded with a pH-sensitive fluorescent dye (HPTS). G2XB, G3XB, and 9mer are halogen bonding molecules that were synthesized at UM. The ability of these transporters is directly measured via pH-based fluorescent changes. Since these molecules are not capable of also carrying a proton (H+), extremely efficient proton shuttling channel gramicidin is added to address this rate-limiting step. The HBeXBing motif in these molecules can be used to study or design new synthetic therapeutics that target Cystic Fibrosis and other channelopathies.
Category
Physical Sciences
Hydrogen Bond enhanced Halogen Bonding Anion Transporters
UC South Ballroom
Cells use ion transport pathways for osmosis, electrochemical gradients, signaling, and programed cell death. When natural ion channels fail, synthetic alternatives are needed. This project explores the ability of synthetic “transporter” molecules to bind anions (negatively charged atoms) and carry them across lipid bilayers. Preliminary results have shown Hydrogen Bond enhanced Halogen Bonding (HBeXBing) molecules can facilitate anion transport more efficiently than known XBing anion transporter pentafluoroiodobenzene (PFIB). The hydrophobic functional groups clearly increase transport rates of these molecules. We expect that EC50 and Hill coefficients will indicate highly active transporters. Currently the liposome procedure is being optimized to achieve stable vesicles (less than 10% leakage over 200 seconds), which is required for accurate rate analysis. The most recent protocol shows 13% leakage of the liposomes.
To model cellular membranes, large unilamellar vesicles (liposomes) are formed using POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) which is the main lipid component in mammalian cells. The liposomes are loaded with a pH-sensitive fluorescent dye (HPTS). G2XB, G3XB, and 9mer are halogen bonding molecules that were synthesized at UM. The ability of these transporters is directly measured via pH-based fluorescent changes. Since these molecules are not capable of also carrying a proton (H+), extremely efficient proton shuttling channel gramicidin is added to address this rate-limiting step. The HBeXBing motif in these molecules can be used to study or design new synthetic therapeutics that target Cystic Fibrosis and other channelopathies.