Mohanad Ahmad Chem430 S17

Chemistry Research 430

Spring 2017

Mohanad Ahmad

Senior Chemistry Major

Research Times

T/W 2-6 pm

section 02 = 0.50 credit = 8 hours per week.

Proposed Research Project

General Information

Advisor: Dr. Laura Moore

Other research student collaborators: Khdr Eskander

Proposal

The goal of this project is to introduce of a strand of DNA that carries a specific mutation into E.coli bacteria in order to over express the bacteria to synthesize the mutated c-AMP receptor protein (CRP), a transcription factor that regulates DNA to mRNA transcription. The intended mutation will expose a cysteine amino acid on the surface of the protein that will, as a result, bind to a gold surface through a thiol bond (R-S-H) in order to obtain images using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Moreover, images of DNA-CRP complex will be taken using AFM, where the DNA will be attached to the tip of the AFM at one end and to the protein at the other end.

Instruments to be used

Atomic Force Microscopy

References

Ditzler, Lindsay R., Arundhuti Sen, Michael J. Gannon, Amnon Kohen, Alexei V. Tivanski. "Self-Assembled Enzymatic Monolayer Directly Bound to a Gold Surface: Activity and Molecular Recognition Force Spectroscopy Studies." J. Am. Chem. Soc, 2011, 133 (34), pp 13284–13287.

Research pledge

I, Mohanad Ahmad, have read the Chem/Bioc 430 course syllabus and understand the general structure and expectations of the research program. The above material was prepared after consultation, and in conjunction with my research advisor.