The effects of fluid flow on protein structure
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Life Sciences
Abstract
A variety of physical and chemical perturbations are routinely used to probe protein structure. Mechanical perturbations have also been used and are particularly informative as they can allow the forces required to modify protein structure and function to be accurately quantified. We will explore and develop a new mechanical perturbation, fluid-flow turbulence, and assess its applicability for studying, and controlling, protein unfolding.Turbulent flows will be deliberately induced in purpose-built flow cells to cause unfolding in several test proteins and so identify suitable targets for further study. Protein unfolding will be characterised using Raman spectroscopy and Raman optical activity, as these are proven and informative techniques. The observed conformational changes will be correlated with the measure flow parameters to further refine flow cell design. From the new information obtained in this pioneering project we hope to assess the viability of this approach for future, and more focused, studies of controlling protein structure using flow characteristics.
People |
ORCID iD |
Ewan Blanch (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Ashton L
(2010)
Susceptibility of different proteins to flow-induced conformational changes monitored with Raman spectroscopy.
in Biophysical journal
Description | This was a proof of principle funding project whose purpose was to establish new collaborations between young chemists and chemical engineers (the stated aim of EPSRC for this scheme). Therefore, we developed a new and successful collaboration that was able to subsequently secure major funding. |
Exploitation Route | The scientific outputs came from the following grant. The purpose of this grant, as stated by EPSRC, was to establish new collaborations, not produce new science. But our work relates to the aim of controlling aggregation of biopharmaceutical drugs, reducing sample loss (currently about 33% of drug sample is lost in production), increasing drug efficacy and bioavailability and reducing autoimmunogenic side-effects. |
Sectors | Healthcare Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | This pump priming grant established the collaboration between myself and Dr Balabani at KCL. As such the following grant (EP/F007922/1) was largely possible due to this first grant. As the original aim of the Chemistry/Chemical Engineering Interface Scheme was to establish long term funded collaborations this project was highly successful. |
First Year Of Impact | 2007 |
Sector | Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Societal Economic |
Description | ALERT14 |
Amount | £732,689 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/M011658/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2015 |
End | 04/2015 |
Description | Cross-Disciplinary Feasability Account |
Amount | £201,216 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/I016716/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2011 |
End | 12/2011 |
Description | King's College London |
Organisation | King's College London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | Melvin, Southampton CARS project |
Organisation | University of Southampton |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Conducted research, cpauthored paper and coapplicant on grant applications (unsuccessful) |
Collaborator Contribution | Condusted research, coauthored paper and coapplicants on grant applications (unsuccessful) |
Impact | Perney, N.M., Braddick, L., Jurna, M., Garbacik, E.T., Offerhaus, H.L., Serpell, L.C., Blanch, E.W., Holden-Dye, L., Brocklesbury, W.S. and Melvin, T., "Polyglutamine Aggregate Structure In Vitro and In Vivo; New Avenues for Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Microscopy". PLOS One (2012), 7, e40536, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040536 |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | Melvin, Southampton CARS project |
Organisation | University of Sussex |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Conducted research, cpauthored paper and coapplicant on grant applications (unsuccessful) |
Collaborator Contribution | Condusted research, coauthored paper and coapplicants on grant applications (unsuccessful) |
Impact | Perney, N.M., Braddick, L., Jurna, M., Garbacik, E.T., Offerhaus, H.L., Serpell, L.C., Blanch, E.W., Holden-Dye, L., Brocklesbury, W.S. and Melvin, T., "Polyglutamine Aggregate Structure In Vitro and In Vivo; New Avenues for Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Microscopy". PLOS One (2012), 7, e40536, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040536 |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | Melvin, Southampton CARS project |
Organisation | University of Twente |
Country | Netherlands |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Conducted research, cpauthored paper and coapplicant on grant applications (unsuccessful) |
Collaborator Contribution | Condusted research, coauthored paper and coapplicants on grant applications (unsuccessful) |
Impact | Perney, N.M., Braddick, L., Jurna, M., Garbacik, E.T., Offerhaus, H.L., Serpell, L.C., Blanch, E.W., Holden-Dye, L., Brocklesbury, W.S. and Melvin, T., "Polyglutamine Aggregate Structure In Vitro and In Vivo; New Avenues for Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Microscopy". PLOS One (2012), 7, e40536, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040536 |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | The University of Manchester |
Organisation | University of Manchester |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
Start Year | 2006 |