UROP Project

Enzyme-Polymer Conjugates for Active Biomimetic Senor and Remediation Applications

Contact

Name

Jan Müller

Program Director UROP

Telephone

workPhone
+49 241 80-90299

E-Mail

Key Info

Basic Information

Project Offer-Number:
258
Category:
UROP Abroad
Field:
Materials Science
Faculty:
1
Organisation unit:
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Language Skills:
English
Computer Skills:
n/a
Others:
n/a

MoveOn

Enzymes are biological proteins that speed up crucial reactions by lowering the energy barrier for them to occur more easily. Enzymes demonstrate a high degree of utility for numerous applications in the areas of pollutant sensing and remediation due to their speed of reaction, specificity for certain analytes, and ability to be engineered and chemically modified. The major problem associated with the practical utility of enzymes is their limited storage and operational stability. The aim of this project is to study the effect of the conjugation of amphiphilic polymers to enzyme molecules on the stability and responsivity of the enzyme in aqueous environments.

Task

The general scope of this project is to understand the physico-chemical underpinnings for the effect of polymer modification on the bioactivity and activity retention of enzymes in aqueous environments. In particular the research will focus on a correlation of the composition and architecture of enzyme conjugates on the respective solution properties as well as catalytic activities in aqueous solutions. Solution characterization will be performed using time-of-flight spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering as well as solution-based force probe microscopy. The proposed work will be performed in collaboration with ICx-Agentase – a local Pittsburgh company.

Requirements

Introductory polymer science (chemistry or physics) as well as physical chemistry laboratory experience.

Full Address

Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Ave
15213 Pittsburgh, PA
USA
Website