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When a vitamin, such as folate, reaches the cell membrane it attaches to a protein that then moves about in a random manner until it meets and binds to certain other proteins that serve as doors to the cell interior. The motion of single protein/vitamin complexes can be observed using a temporally and spatially sensitive imaging technique called total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF). Using simple physical models to analyze the trajectories of observed complexes in comparison with simulated random trajectories, we can understand what is involved in transporting vitamins across the membrane and into the cell. This, in turn, allows us to manipulate the transport mechanisms for medicinal purposes such as design of efficient chemotherapy, which will be presented here. Along the way we will use physics to show the non-intuitive result that a random walk at the membrane efficiently performs such critical transport tasks.

All seminars will be held in CNS 204 at 12:10 (unless otherwise indicated). Pizza and refreshments will be available for $1. Remember to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Please bring your own cup.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact the Physics Department at jackerman@ithaca.edu. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.

Topic: Archive