Adsorption of proteins at fluid interfaces play a vital role in many biological, chemical and biotechnological processes. However, the molecular mechanism of adsorption of proteins is not well understood. Specifically, the fundamental questions that need to be investigated are: what are the molecular forces responsible for adsorption and retention of proteins at fluid interfaces and how these forces are affected by the protein conformation and what is the role of bulk water structure in this vital transport process? Thus, the focus of the proposed research is to elucidate: 1. the influence of protein conformation, molecular flexibility and the bulk water structure on adsorption at interfaces; 2. the conformation of proteins in the adsorbed state and its relation to their surface properties; 3. the additivity of polar and apolar groups of peptides on the kinetics and thermodynamics of adsorption at interfaces. The fundamental information obtained from this study will not only enhance understanding of macromolecular adsorption processes, but also will facilitate development of genetic engineering approaches to improve the surface properties of biologically and technologically important proteins.
