Sequence Dependence of Polyproline II Helix Formation

This is a request for a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Supplement to award MCB-0444049 ("Sequence dependence of polyproline II helix formation") currently held by the PI. Funds to support two undergraduate students for ten weeks over the Summer of 2006 are being requested. These students will work with the Pion two research projects related to the current award. One undergraduate student will use fluorescence (Forster) resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements to estimate the ensemble of conformations adopted by alaninebased host-guest peptides. These measurements will be used to confirm and build upon circular dichroism (CD) spectra collected similar peptides. The second student will use CD spectroscopy to explore the conformational ensembles adopted by valine- and serine-based host-guest peptides. These peptides constitute a broadening of our work on alanine-based peptides as models for protein unfolded states. Based on prior experience and published data we fully expect valine- and serine-based peptides to possess significantly different conformational ensembles from each other and from those of alanine-based peptides. Data collected by the two students will help us to further understand PHhelix formation by peptide models or protein unfolded states. The overall goals of this REU Supplement request is to introduce undergraduates to modern biophysical research and provide them with laboratory training that will prove invaluable in their future careers. These goals will be achieved through not only the research projects, but also training in laboratory safety, the keeping of accurate and up to date notebooks, interactions with the PI, his group and other research staff in the Department, assigned reading and the possibility of presenting data at the Department's annual summer research retreat.