Synthesis and Characterization of Polymers, and Development of Polymer Based Lipid-Nanodiscs

Abstract

There is substantial interest in the development of membrane mimetics for use in membrane protein (MP) studies. MPs require a native like membrane environment for the study of their structure, dynamics, and function. Polymers that assemble into lipid nanodiscs with membranes have been shown to be useful in forming a native like membrane mimetic. This is demonstrated by their ability to self-assemble into a native like membrane environment, and their ability to extract MPs without the use of detergents. To achieve the formation of polymer-lipid nanodiscs the polymer with the proper characteristics must be used. In this talk I will focus on our research in the development of differing polymers with various hydrophobic and hydrophilic modifications. We showed the relationship between the hydrophilic moiety and the nanodiscs solution properties. This functionalization widened the application of polymer-nanodiscs to a great range of biologically relevant conditions. We further demonstrated the effect of differing hydrophobic moieties on nanodiscs stability. Finally, we formulated a polymer-lipid nanodiscs system with improved NMR applications with the potential to reduce NMR experiment times.