Structural and dynamic study of redox biomolecules using step-scan infrared spectroscopy

• Grant number: 18/24485-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: October 01, 2019
• End date: September 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Daniel Rodrigues Cardoso
• Grantee: Rodrigo Michelin Iost
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/01189-0 - Novel aging: technologies and solutions to manufacture novel dairy products for healthy aging, AP.TEM

Abstract

The understanding of redox protein dynamics have a major relevance for the development of bioenergy conversion devices as well as for the improvement of industrial process. The evaluation of the behavior of protein dynamics also in different chemical environments and in the presence of nanomaterials pursues the relevant improvement of the biocatalytic processes. This studies can be realized using the time-resolved infrared in the step-scan mode for the monitoring of biological events using short pulses in the order of < µs. Then, it is envisage that biological mechanisms of reaction can be monitor, also when the biomolecules are in contact with nanomaterials such as metallic nanoparticles and when in contact with solid surfaces. Herein, we show in the present postdoctoral proposal with the aim to investigate in details the structural dynamics of redox proteins in different experimental conditions (for example, pH, ionic strenght, and temperature) and in the presence of nanomaterials such as metal nanoparticles (e.g., gold, silver, platinum, palladium) in order to evaluate the possibility of monitoring events ocurring in nanoscale level. Furhter experiments will also be carried out when the redox protein are in contact with solid surfaces such as gold or gold modified with metal nanoparticles for improvement of IR signal by Surface-enhancement infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS). For this purpose, we expect to contribute with the elucidation of the fundamental physical and chemical properties of biomolecules in solution when in the presence of nanomaterials or also when immobilized on solid surfaces. Moreover, enzymatic reaction mechanisms of some enzymes relevant for bioenergy conversion and for food industry using for the first time the time-resolved infrared in the step-scan mode will also be focused on the present proposal. The aim of the present project is also the evaluation of the possibility to improve the biocatalytic process of biomolecules for future application in biodevices and in food industry.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ALI, MIAN A.; SEDENHO, GRAZIELA C.; PACHECO, JESSICA C.; IOST, RODRIGO M.; RAHMAN, ASMA; HASSAN, AYAZ; CARDOSO, DANIEL R.; GOMES, ROBERTO S.; CRESPILHO, FRANK N.. Metal-free, low-cost, and high-performance membraneless ethanol fuel cell. Journal of Power Sources, v. 551, p. 9-pg., 2022-10-08. (20/15098-0, 18/24485-7, 20/04796-8, 18/22214-6, 19/12053-8, 19/15333-1)