ABSTRACT CTS-9733310 Paul R. Van Tassel/ Wayne State U. This grant is awarded through the Interfacial, Transport and Separations Program of the Chemical and Transport Systems Division. The principal investigator is Dr. Paul Van Tassel of Wayne State University. An objective of the research is the elucidation of protein adsorption onto affinity surfaces, including the effects of kinetics, ligand density and ligand spacer length on protein orientation. A second objective is to develop technology to control protein placement on a surface using electric fields and specific ligand placement. The educational aspects of the PI's career development seek to integrate course development with laboratory experiments through web based interactive modules. An outreach program seeks to team up undergraduates with high school students to provide an enhanced educational experience to potential scientists and engineers. The immobilization of protein molecules at a liquid-solid interface is an important aspect of enzyme catalysis, bioseparations and biomaterials coatings. Understanding how proteins adsorb onto surfaces and developing new techniques to manipulate this adsorption process has significant implications to the biotechnology industry. ***
