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LECTURE NOTES FOR |
Most organisms on earth literally exist in an ocean of water but some organisms survive dehydrating conditions. But ultimately all earthly life requires at least some water. The splitting of water in photosynthesis is the chemical step that transforms the energy of light into reactive chemicals, whereas the recombination of H and O to reform H2O in respiration in the end yields energy for animal life. Water is also essential in aiding digestion of food, elimination of toxic waste products, transport of metabolites and temperature control. However, a basic reason for the requirement of water by terrestrial life occurs at the molecular level: proteins and other biological macromolecules need water to properly fold into functional, unique and stable structures. Dr. Vanderkooi is interested in studying the interaction between water and proteins. It is clear that water changes the structure and dynamics of protein macromolecules, and the protein reciprocates by changing properties of water. Infrared and optical spectroscopy and computation are used to determine kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for the study of the boundary region between water and protein. Present research projects are addressing how protein denaturants change water H-bonding, how protein / water interface determine the activity of anti-freeze proteins, and how some proteins can withstand high pressure and temperature. Selected Publications: Zelent B, MA Bryan, KA Sharp, and JM Vanderkooi (2009) Influence of surface groups of proteins on water studied by freezing/thawing hysteresis and infrared spectroscopy. Biophys Chem. 141(2-3):222-230 Scott, J.N., N.V. Nucci, and J.M. Vanderkooi (2008) Changes in water structure induced by the quanidinium cation and implications for protein denaturation. J. Phys. Chem. 3112(43):10939-10948 Pentelute, BL, Z.P. Gates, V. Tereshko, J.L. Dashnau, J.M. Vanderkooi, A.A. Kossiakoff, and S.B. Kent (2008) X-ray structure of snow flea antifreeze protein determined by racemic crystallization of synthetic protein enantiomers. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 130(30):9695-9701 Nucci, N.V., J.M. Scott, and J.M. Vanderkooi (2008) Effects of salts of the Hofmeister series on the hydrogen bond network of water. J. Mol. Liquids 143:160-170.
For a complete list of publications click here |
