(7q) Engineering Surfaces to Study Biological Interactions

Hormone disrupting compounds are pervasive; they are found in plastics, pesticides, and medications, among other sources. We have developed a detection strategy based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to quantify endocrine disrupting compounds that is both fast and portable. Our method requires no specialized skills to perform, and, rather than responding to individual chemicals, this system reports the total estrogenic activity of a sample using engineered bacteria displaying a native estrogen receptor construct. This approach will be broadly applicable to the detection of chemically dissimilar classes of compounds that bind to a single receptor.

The ability to selectively attach biopolymers, including DNA and peptides, to surfaces is imperative for biological research. Of great interest is their specific placement on gold surfaces. We have developed a reagentless coupling method to electrochemically attach biopolymers to surfaces using the specific oxidation of a catechol to a particular electrode. With our method, commercially-available DNA is rapidly attached to surfaces, yielding complete coupling within minutes. Furthermore, we have full control over the amount of biopolymer on the surface, which can be tailored to the specific application of the device. Using this attachment method, we have formed whole cell-based thin films. Additionally, we have optimized the platform for the specific detection of the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA), a problematic additive to plastics, using a DNA aptamer on the surface.

Research Interests:

Surface modification for the specific attachment of biomolecules is vital for the effective construction of diagnostics as well as for the study of fundamental biological processes. Developing improved chemistries to attach biopolymers such as DNA and peptides to surfaces will enable the creation of improved devices. These techniques will be utilized to immobilize DNA aptamers, enzymes, metalloproteins, and even whole cells to study clean energy production and intercellular interactions.

Teaching Interests:

Experience:

Protein thermodynamics-In this lecture course, protein binding to ligands was explored, in addition to discussions of chemical concepts behind enzymatic processes, including entropy and enthalpy.

Survey course in biochemistry-In this weekly discussion-based course, a professor discussed their research interests with first-year graduate students. Problem sets related to that week’s research talk were discussed in biweekly discussion groups.

General chemistry lab-In addition to supervision during the laboratory, problem sets and laboratory reports were evaluated. New experiments were also designed and evaluated for their efficacy in conveying chemical concepts to students.