Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

The purpose of this application is to purchase an equipment to conduct isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). ITC is a state-of-the-art technique used to obtain the thermodynamic parameters characterizing molecular interactions. Based on the measurement of heat released or absorbed during the interactions among the molecular species, a single ITC experiment can yield all of the necessary thermodynamics parameters; binding constants (Kb), reaction stoichiometry (n), enthalpy (H), entropy (S) and Gibb's free energy (G). These parameters are related by: G = RTlnKb = H -TS, where R and T are Gas Constant and Temperature, respectively. These parameters can be obtained from a single, computerized experiment, without the need to label the molecular species involved, immobilization or using reporter molecules during the molecular interactions. Becasue the ITC generates such a fundamental information about molecular interactions, several research groups at the Chemical & Materials Engineering Department of the University of Alberta will benefit from this equipment. The research avenues that will rely on the ITC equipment are; (i) design of novel drug delivery systems, where the intraction between a wide spectrum of therapeutic agents (nucleic acids and organic molecules) and designer materials will be investigated; (ii) peptide self-assemply, where biomaterials scaffolds based on self-assembling peptides will be engineered for biomedical applications; (iii) protein adsorption to biomaterials, where binding of cell-adhesive proteins on mechanically streesed bioglass will be studied; (iv) design of molecular sieves, where zeolites with controlled architecture will be enginered for a wide array of industrial processes, such as catalysis and molecular seperations; (v) petroleum thermodynamics, where the interaction among heavy oils-bitumen-industrial solvents will be characterized to improve petroleum processing, and; (vi) polymer thermodynamics, where polymer-polymer and polymer-solvent interactions will be investigated as a function of polymer architectural properties. The availability of ITC will make a significant impact in these diverse research areas and accelerate our research endeavors.