Membrane Nano-fragment Preparation Technology

78774S Understanding the mechanisms within microbial cells is vital to Department of Energy programs for energy production, bioremediation, carbon sequestration, and encouragement of cleaner industrial processes. Many of the signal transducers and molecular machines of the living cell are membrane proteins, which are therefore important pharmaceutical targets. However, no simple and reproducible procedure has been reported for isolating these proteins in a monodispersed form that maintains the phospholipid-protein native structure and functionality. This project will develop technology to study membrane proteins intact, rather than dissolved. The technology will be based on precise control of molecular interactions to carve out nanofragments of innate membrane that supports a membrane protein, without disturbing the lipid bilayer. In Phase I a laboratory prototype of membrane nanofragment preparation technology will be designed, fabricated, and tested to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach for solubilizing membrane proteins. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The preparation of the nanofragments should enable researchers to study the structure and function of this important class of biological macromolecules. Furthermore, the ability to bind substrates, inhibitors, and other interacting molecules with these solubilized membrane proteins in their original environment has significant potential for development of high-throughput screening methods for pharmacological target proteins.