Neal Lab
Multivariate Optical Spectroscopy of
Biomolecular Assemblies in Complex Fluids
The focus of work in this group is the study of dynamic interactions between small molecules and the complex fluids encountered in biological, environmental and clinical systems. We use multi-state fluorescent probes (whose properties vary with microenvironment properties) and multivariate optical spectroscopy to generate the enhanced selectivity required to simultaneously monitor solutes in the heterogeneous microenvironments complex fluids present. The long-term goals of this work include 1) the development of more powerful multivariate measurements; 2) development of model-independent signal processing and data analysis methods that maximize information recovery and isolate individual solute responses and interactions in realistic model media and analytical samples; 3) detailed photokinetic analysis of a variety of multi-state fluorescent probe classes; 4) investigation of the intriguing properties produced by molecular scale order in the composition of lipid-based media (for example, liquid crystals, bicelles, and protein/lipid dispersions); and 5) analysis of complex binding phenomena via resolution into constituent interactions. The synopses below provide links to longer descriptions of ongoing and new research that pursue these goals. |
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New Multivariate Spectroscopic Measurements The combination of tunable laser excitation, multi-channel detectors and computer control of spectrometer components allows us merge several spectroscopic measurements into multivariate measurements with the enhanced selectivity needed to study complex systems. (more...) |
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Model-Independent Data Analysis Methods Multivariate data sets are subject to matrix and tensor analysis methods that separate the responses of mixtures into components without a priori knowledge of the number of components or specifics of their spectral properties. (more ...) |
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Characterization of Complex Fluids The complex fluids that form spontaneously by self-association of amphiphilic biomolecules can exhibit molecular scale order that leads to intriguing macroscopic properties and interesting analytical opportunities and challenges. (more ...) |
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Photokinetic Analysis of Multi-State Probes The emission of multi-state probes varies with microenvironment properties often in response to excited state processes. Maximizing the utility of this feature, to monitor microheterogeneous systems depends on thorough, accurate analysis of the photokinetic behavior of the probe. (more ...) |
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Photokinetic Analysis of Intrinsic Probes The intrinsic fluorescence of tryptophan (Trp) varies with microenviroment and is widely used to monitor the conformation of proteins and their interactions with ligands. Often interactions with neighboring residues are superimposed on the probe response. Unraveling these elements of Trp emission can increase the structural information content of protein emission measurements. (morre) |
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Characterization of Solute/Medium Interactions In past investigations we’ve used differential solvation of probes to study the formation and stability of a number of complex fluids including lipid vesicles, pure lipid (phosphatidylcholine) bicelles and mixed lipid (phosphatidylcholine-phosphatidylglycerol) bicelles. The interactions of small peptides with complex media are the principal focus of current work. (more) |
Last Updated 9/1/06 |
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| This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 9983558. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. |
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