This award provides funding over a two year period to permit Dr. Rick Millane of Purdue University to travel to New Zealand once each year to conduct collaborative research on structural studies of chitin with Drs. Kenneth M. Rudall and George R. Clark of the University of Auckland Department of Chemistry. The molecular and crystal structure of the gamma-allomorph of chitin will be determined in atomic detail. The overall structural features of a variety of chitin-protein complexes from different sources will be determined. This information will be used to examine relationships between the structural features and the biological distribution and function of chitin. The results of this study will further extend the knowledge base on the structures and functionality of these polysaccharide systems that are important components of the exoskeletons of insects, crustaceans and invertebrates. Structural details on chitin- protein complexes may also provide information relevant to cellulose composites in plant cell walls and collagen composites in mammalian connective tissue. This cooperative research capitalizes on the unique and complementary skills of the investigators. For Dr. Millane this project adds an international aspect to his on-going NSF funded research. The Auckland chemists have considerable experience in biophysical studies of chitin and chitin-protein complexes. Dr. Rudall is particularly skilled in the extraction and preparation of chitin microfibrils suitable for x-ray diffraction analysis. Dr. Clark is an experienced x-ray crystallographer. Dr. Millane is an experienced x-ray fiber diffractionist who has determined the structures of a number of polysaccharides and polynucleotides using this technique.
