2/13-2/19/2017: Week 1 – Background Information
Hello! In
my first week of working on my senior research project, I found it important to
educate myself on the topic which I will be working on in addition to
formulating my project’s timeline and end goals.
ABSTRACT
Metalloproteins
are proteins that contain a metal ion cofactor and compose between a quarter
and half of all proteins in the human body. This metal cofactor typically
dictates the protein’s function and influences a protein to complete tasks
varying from oxygen transportation to signal transduction, like “fight or
flight” reflex. In addition to making up a significant amount of the body’s
proteins, metalloproteins are relatively easy to design and implement in
biological/cellular models. The Mills Lab at ASU Biodesign aims to increase our
understanding of metalloprotein functionality and further develop these
biological “worker” molecules to broaden their applicability. This research
works to form specific molecules and analyze the structures and functions of
the created compounds. To provide further education on proteomics and amino
acids for the next generation of scientists, the lab is also developing a
supplemental educational tool for biology students using Foldit software.
METALLOPROTEINS
Metalloprotein
functions are encoded by the metals which are bound within their primary
structures. These proteins are relatively easily designed and can be easily
thrown into cells to degrade toxins and small molecules (approx. 50-100 atoms)
and biopolymers (i.e. proteins). Through the metal cofactors in
metalloproteins, they can be used as programmable catalysts in abiological
contexts, leading to extrasomal protein utilization. These implications extend
beyond poison/toxin removal to material design.
FOLDIT
Foldit is an online puzzle game about protein folding. It was developed by the University of Washington, Center for Game Science, and the UW Department of Biochemistry. The objective of Foldit
is to fold the structures of selected proteins using tools provided in the game. The highest scoring solutions are
analyzed by researchers, who determine whether or not there is a native
structural configuration (native state) that can be applied to relevant proteins in the real world.
QUESTIONS
Can we successfully mutate
metalloproteins while predicting their resulting functions?
How can we examine our results to
ensure that our desired results are achieved?
What steps must be taken to produce
our desired protein structures?
How can we modify Foldit to
facilitate education in biology and proteomics?
