By Gail Hairston
Two University of Kentucky professors have been awarded funding to help elucidate the mechanism of nicotine addiction and to identify targets for nicotine cessation therapeutics.
Assistant Professor Chris Richards (UK Chemistry) and Professor James Pauly (UK Pharmacy) have been awarded funding to help elucidate the mechanism of nicotine addiction and to identify targets for nicotine cessation therapeutics. The $760,000 grant awarded by the National Institutes of Health is titled "Single Molecule Determination of nAChR Structural Assembly for Therapeutic Targeting.”
The Light Microscopy Core, a newly named research core facility under the auspices of the Office of the Vice President for Research, has invested $1.3 million in two new microscopes to support an array of research across the University of Kentucky. Dr.
A new instrument to be developed by University of Kentucky researchers will overcome current limitations in fluorescence microscopy and could accelerate basic scientific discoveries.
Abstract: Nanopores are miniaturized electrical sensors with arguably the smallest detection volumes (sub-yoctometers, or below 10-24 m3).[1]Detection of molecules using nanopores involves electrical monitoring of ion current flow through a pore using a pair of electrodes placed across the nanopore-containing membrane. Our group focuses on the use of nanopores that range from 1 to 10 nm in all dimensions (diameter and thickness). We fabricate such nanopores using a combination of state-of-the-art ultrathin membrane fabrication and focused electron beam irradiation using a transmission electron microscope. Recently, we have found that nanopore dimensions critically determine the quality of detection and discrimination of biomolecules. I will talk about our efforts to distinguish different types of tRNA molecules, RNA-drug complexes,[2]and proteins[3]. In addition, I will mention our efforts to control DNA transport through nanopores, useful for genomic mapping.[4]Finally, I will mention our studies that probe nucleosomal interactions and influence by epigenetic factors,[5]as well as our latest efforts in combining nanopores and optical waveguides for direct DNA sequencing from picogram-level genetic material
The Department of Chemistry is excited to welcome professor Chris Richards to its faculty!
Professor Richards joins us this fall to research cell membrane receptors. His research group integrates nanotechnology, neuroscience, and biophysical chemistry, and is developing imaging techniques to investigate how these receptors are involved in the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and addiction.
