With this new RUI award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program supports an interdisciplinary collaboration between Professors Cristina Suarez and Adam Hall at Smith College and Charles D. Hall and Alan R. Katritsky at the University of Florida. This research project will involve investigations of redox-active synthetic ion channels. Under a subaward, the Co-PIs at the University of Florida will synthesize and purify a series of artificial ion channels designed to span a lipid bilayer and support cation flux. At Smith College, Professors Suarez and Hall and their students will use NMR spectroscopy and black lipid membrane electrophysiological recording technology to characterize fully the conductance, selectivity and gating properties of these synthetic ion channels.
Biological ion channels are integral membrane protein complexes that function to regulate the flow of ions across cell walls. Since many drugs target ion channels and little is known about how these channels function, studies of these model ion channels will provide a better understanding of these complex biosystems and lead to more effective drug design. In addition, this project will introduce undergraduate women to an important and exciting research area at the interface of chemistry and biology.
