New microfluidic tools for characterization of protein-lipid interactions

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Cellular function and malfunction depends crucially on the interactions of proteins and other cellular components, specifically with lipid membranes. Such interactions are a key to the compartmentalization of a wide range of cellular mechanisms into discrete organelles, allowing to maintain homeostasis. In spite of implications to life sciences and drug discovery our current understanding of protein–lipid interactions is limited. This is primarily due to the challenges imposed by existing methods for determining the fundamental interactions of a wide range of proteins and lipid bilayers due to the high level of heterogeneity of the formed complexes. Recent advances in the development of microfluidic techniques for characterisation of biomolecular complexes together with sensitive optical detection methods open new possibilities for fundamental studies of protein–lipid interactions. The main objective of the proposed project is the development of a transformative microfluidic platforms dedicated for the study of interactions of lipid membranes with protein molecules. Experienced Researcher aims at the implementation of microfluidic technologies: micro free flow electrophoresis and nano deterministic lateral displacement, for the parallel development of two types of platforms. The development of the platform will be highlighted by addressing exemplary fundamental questions in molecular biology of interest that concern a wide range of aspects of mechanism of protein–lipid interaction. The realization of the objectives will be based on close collaboration between academic and non-academic sectors, in pursue to bridge the gap between fundamental and applied research. This action will set up a tight collaboration between the University of Cambridge (UCAM) and Fluidic Analytics Limited (FAL) who have pioneered the use of commercial microfluidic platforms for efficient characterization of biomolecular interactions.