Behaviour of globular protein solutions in lipid cubic phase

Condensed Matter lunchtime seminar

Behaviour of globular protein solutions in lipid cubic phase

  • Event time: 1:00pm
  • Event date: 23rd February 2004
  • Speaker: Shinpei Tanaka (University of Edinburgh)
  • Location: Room 2511,

Event details

Protein lysozyme solutions behave differently from the bulk ones, when they are confined in narrow channels of the cubic phase formed by lipid monoolein. For example, crystallization occurs at much lower volume fraction of lysozyme than that of bulk solutions. Droplets which look highly viscous or even glassy separate out in the cubic phase at relatively low lysozyme volume fraction. We explained these phenomena by the concept of 'effective concentration', in which the limited available volume for lysozyme in the channels was considered. Simple Monte Carlo calculations showed that the confinement indeed increased the chemical potential of particles. The confinement also affects lysozyme dynamics such as diffusion. We found that the translational diffusion coefficient of lysozyme decreased more than an order of magnitude using Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) method.

About Condensed Matter lunchtime seminars

This is a weekly series of informal talks given primarily by members of the institute of condensed matter and complex systems, but is also open to members of other groups and external visitors. The aim of the series is to promote discussion and learning of various topics at a level suitable to the broad background of the group. Everyone is welcome to attend..

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