9505301 Randolph This project is on research to better understand the mechanisms for polymer-induced protein stabilization in solution during freezing and drying. The research will focus on the thermodynamics and molecular interactions of polymeric additives with proteins in aqueous solutions, frozen solutions, and dried solids, and how these interactions dictate protein stability. In particular this includes: (1) solution thermodynamics which involves phase behavior and protein/polymer preferential interactions; and (2) experimental measurements which include differential scanning calorimetry, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) and resolution-enhanced Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). This will be used to determine why polymers work and why they fail as protein stabilizers. ***
