This interdisciplinary Chemistry of Life Processes (COLP) project draws upon both synthetic organic chemistry and biophysics to investigate the mechanism of transmembrane proton transport. In a synergistic collaborative effort, David S. Cafiso and Glenn J. Garvey of the Chemistry Department and Mark S. Braiman of the Biochemistry Department of the University of Virginia will synthesize well-defined molecular arrays of both hydrocarbon- and peptide-based materials, characterize them, and incorporate them into model biomembranes to determine the role of hydrogen-bonded networks on transmembrane proton conduction. This research draws upon demanding synthetic chemistry, careful structural biology and chemistry, and state-of-the-art spectroscopy to address a question of fundamental importance in biological membrane science. This activity affords a strong interdisciplinary learning environment for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. The results of this collaborative effort could impact broadly in both the chemical and biological sciences.
