Registration & Submission Deadline
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 @ 11:59 PM
April 23rd & 24th, 2013Claire T. Carney Library Addition
Self-Assembly of Crystallin Protein Solutions: Observations of Protein Particle Size using Dynamic Light Scattering for Pre-Material Processing Characterization
Crystallin proteins exist as self-assembled macromolecular structures in the lens of vertebrates at high protein concentrations. Lenses obtained from Haddock are homogenized to form heterogeneous protein solutions capable of self-assembling into macroscopic fibers, thin films, and hydrogel biomaterials. Due to the complex nature of this heterogeneous protein solution, care must be taken to control protein stability, minimize denaturation and the formation of unordered aggregates. Taking weekly DLS measurements, we examined self-assembled crystallin particles in solutions at different concentrations of protein. We also measured DLS of crystallin solutions at a range of L-Arginine concentrations. Arginine was introduced during initial homogenization as well as via dialysis in the initial days post homogenization. Similar protein solutions were loaded on chemically inert polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) scaffolds and observed for their capacity to generate thin films. This establishes a foundation for examination of parameters effecting downstream processing and material generation.