Resolving membrane protein dynamics and self-association characteristics by fluorescence fluctuation analysis

This project aims to exploit an analysis of cellular and molecular dynamics which focuses on understanding protein-protein interactions in living cells. It will focus on the development and application of a suite of novel single molecule super-resolution imaging strategies that will address fundamental questions surrounding how the association of specific membrane proteins drives localization and function. The project contains a robust suite of fluorescence fluctuation analysis tools, including Numbers and Brightness, Spatial Intensity Distribution Analysis (SPIDA). These tools will be complemented by imaging total internal reflection FCS (ITIR-FCS), an approach well-suited for examining surface-specific interactions and spatial variations in molecular diffusion and dynamics on millisecond time scales ). As for expected outcomes, it is supposed to detect actin and ezrin rate on membranes as well as the distribution in different intensity areas. Furthermore, the project would be the basis for mapping the spatially heterogeneous diffusion characteristics in live cells.

Faculty Supervisor:

Christopher Yip

Student:

Partner:

Tianjin University

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Toronto

Program: