SUMMER RESEARCH TRAINING IN MEMBRANE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2008 NSF REU SITE PROGRAM at the UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
The Department of Pharmacology & Cell Biophysics, College of Medicine is pleased to offer this research project as part of  the 2008 summer NSF-REU Site Program administered by the Department of Pharmacology & Cell Biophysics.  Students interested in this project are urged to contact Professor Millard to discover more about the project, learn what your responsibilities will be during the ten-week research training program.
Project #:  08 - 015       Faculty Supervisor/Mentor: Ronald W. Millard, Ph.D., Professor, Pharmacology & Cell Biophysics College of Medicine Email:  ron.millard@uc.edu
Ion Channels and Pumps in Bio Membranes to Muscle Cell Biomechanics
General background and significance of the project: The composition, integrity, and interplay among intracellular and cell membrane proteins are critical to the proper growth, maturation and function of living cells.  This is perhaps no more evident than in muscle cells.  The importance of ion channels and ion pumps within the bio-membrane of heart cells for biomechanical performance of heart muscle cells cannot be understated.  This dynamics contractile cell presents an electrically active membrane responsive through specialized sensory systems to environmental chemicals; therefore present an important model system in which the REU student can understand integrative functions of a complex bio-membrane.  Protein expression and membrane properties are predicted to change as a function of genetics, age, and disease.
Brief description of proposed research and activities for the 10-week REU period: The REU fellow will isolate single heart muscle cells and collect biomechanical data with edge-tracking phase-contrast video-microscopy technology. The REU student will apply chemicals that modify membrane-integrated ion channel and ion pumps or chemicals that selectively polymerize or cross-link membrane polymers and subsequently records biophysical properties to better understand the critical nature of membrane ion dynamics, and plasticity of the membrane lipoproteins in cell mechanics.  The REU student will work with Prof. Millard to perform biomechanical or chemical modification components of the project. The REU student will gain extensive experience in this model bio-membrane and in the important roles of ion channels and pumps, and in membrane plasticity in cell mechanical function.
What the REU Student can gain from participating in this project: The REU student will obtain experience in sample preparation, repeatability of findings, and understanding of the role of a bio-membrane on the mechanical performance of a muscle cell. The experience will provide the REU student with bio-membrane science skills relevant to biotechnology and pharmaceutical research and discovery.