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230415 Thesis ohioLINK- Holly Matthews.pdf (23.72 MB)

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Abstract Header

DNA Support Structures For Membrane Protein Imaging

Matthews, Holly K
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors168270595997962

Abstract Details

2023, BS, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Physics.
Researchers believe that protein misfolding could be involved in up to half of all human diseases. Experimentally determining the structure of one especially important class of proteins, called membrane proteins, is essential to the study and treatment of such diseases. A promising approach is the isolation and imaging of these membrane proteins in cryo-electron microscopy which has become one of the most important methods to solve protein structures. The fragile membrane protein can be stabilized in an artificial lipid-bilayer nanodisc. To better capture, stabilize, and orient these nanodiscs, a nanoscale DNA origami support structure was designed. DNA origami is a method of folding a long single-stranded DNA, called a scaffold strand, into engineered shapes using short DNA oligonucleotides called staples. Because of the properties of DNA —including the predictability of Watson-Crick base pairs, the highly studied molecular configuration of DNA, and the self-assembly of DNA into double-stranded helixes—, scaffold strands and staples can be engineered to combine and form very precise and customizable nanoscale structures. Here, we theoretically design, simulate, and experimentally test a DNA origami support structure for membrane protein imaging. The results show favorable stability of the design in simulations and promising self-assembly of the structures during experimental testing. Further studies will continue to develop and optimize the support structure as well as the attachment of nanodiscs. The ability to build a nanoscale support structure to capture these nanodiscs is relevant to the development of an imaging method that could allow 3D reconstruction of essential membrane protein structures.
Thorsten-Lars Schmidt (Advisor)
Alison Smith (Committee Member)
Rajeev Rajaram (Committee Member)
Hamza Balci (Committee Member)
70 p.
Biophysics; Physics
DNA origami

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Matthews, H. K. (2023). DNA Support Structures For Membrane Protein Imaging [Undergraduate thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors168270595997962

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Matthews, Holly. DNA Support Structures For Membrane Protein Imaging. 2023. Kent State University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors168270595997962.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Matthews, Holly. "DNA Support Structures For Membrane Protein Imaging." Undergraduate thesis, Kent State University, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors168270595997962

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ksuhonors168270595997962
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© 2023, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University Honors College and OhioLINK.