Faculty seminar "Influence of solution composition on the fibrillation process and the formation of amyloid fibrils"
The faculty seminar will be on November 8 at 13:15 in the auditorium 1.4, Chemistry C.
The lecture will be given by dr. Jarosław Wawer (DoFCh). Subject of the seminar "Influence of solution composition on the fibrillation process and the formation of amyloid fibrils".
Amyloids are protein aggregates that form linear structures with a diameter of 2 to 12 nm and a length of the order of micrometers. The macromolecules that form amyloids are hold together by physical interactions, the intermolecular covalent bonds are not present. The peptide chains of proteins in amyloid fibrils undergo reorganization and the content of b–sheets is significantly increased.
The main impulse leading to interest in amyloids is caused by their significant role in the development of many dangerous diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and type II diabetes. Recently, another aspect, i.e. the applicability of amyloids to the production of useful nano-materials, has been investigated more frequently.
During the lecture, the results of research on the influence of compounds changing protein stability on fibrillation of lysozyme from egg white will be presented. Osmolytes, low molecular weight compounds produced in living organisms in response to harsh environmental conditions, were selected as process modulating additives. The fibrillation research was preceded by preliminary research that allowed to describe the hydration properties of the most interesting systems.
The presented works provide an insight into the course of the amyloidogenesis and open the possibility of controlling the fibrillation process. It becomes possible to modify the morphological structure of fibrils, change the degree of aggregation and improve the selectivity of the process. Consequently, a potential route to produce nano-materials for practical applications is facilitated.
