NSF.jpgpowercat.jpgKansas State University                                    Physics Research Experience for Undergraduates 2011
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   This program is funded by the National Science Foundation 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        grant number PHY-0851599

 


 

Research in Atomic Force Microscopy
to stretch single protein molecules

Katarzyna Malek (Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland)
e-mail: kadiabatam at gmail.com
supervisor: Prof. Robert Szoszkiewicz
e-mail: rs at phys.ksu.edu

Welcome to my webpage.  This page summarizes my experience doing research for the Summer 2011 in the Szosz-lab!

Project Goals: Describle a mechanical properties of proteins (I274 and NOTCH) using Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy (SMFS). Stretch single protein molecules using Force-Extension (FX SMFS) and Force-Clamp (FC SMFS).                                                                                                                                           

Research Strategy: 

·         Obteined protein

·         Protein purification

·         Polyacrylamide gels

·         Checking Protein Folding

·         Stretched single protein molecules

Research Progress: 

·         Obtained  protein (I274 and NOTCH)         bacteria cells: Roseta-gami2(DE3)pLysS , XL10GOLD; plasmid: pQE30L, derived from T5lac promoter system

·         Inoculated agar plates, pre-culture, large scale expression, prepared cells extract, sonication

·         Protein purification on Co resin HisTALON superflow (for I274) and Ni resin (prefer for NOTCH)

·         Made polyacrylamide gels for protein, electrophoresis

·         Measured a concentrate of protein on spectrometer

·         Made evaporated gold substrates

·         Checking Protein Folding in a bulk: Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy, Fluorescence Spectroscopy

·         Stretched single protein molecules using Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy (SMFS).  

Final Presentation:  Download the presentation in pdf format.

Lectures: Dr. Weaver gave very interesting lectures, which were extremely useful in learning the physics to understand the other student’s projects.

Ethics Class: Discussion during ethics class were very noteworthy. I knew some basic ethical theory. Discussions about fraud, dishonesty, authorship, plagiarism were very interesting and didactic.

About Me: I am a student of the 2nd level undergraduate program for major in biophysics at the Faculty of Physics, Astronomy, and Applied Computer Science of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. The studies allow me to extend the knowledge in the field of  biophysics acquired previously at the 3 year studies of the 1st level undergraduate program. Especially, I am interested in applied applications of physics methods in Medicine, and Biology. I think that worked in the Szosz-Lab of the Kansas State University allowed me to acquired new skills and experience in AFM technique. In my opinion took part in REU activities had a great impact on my education and development of necessary skills allowed for co-operative research in cutting edge science and in the international environment.

Useful Links: 

·         Szosz-lab at KSU Department of Physics – laboratory where I worked this summer on that project

·         K-State Physics REU - Research Experience for Undergraduates program

·         Department of Physics of Nanostructures and Nanotechnology at Jagiellonian University- my home group website

·         Kobior – my home city