Colloidal Allostery

Exploring the pathway to innovative separation technologies

Master thesis (2018)

Authors

Y.C. Saraswat Applied Sciences

Contributors

H.B. Eral (supervisor 1)
Faculty
Applied Sciences
Copyright: © 2018 Yug Saraswat
Hydrogel Allostery Microfluidicsl
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Published Date

18-05-2018

Language

English

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Faculty

Applied Sciences

Abstract

Colloidal allostery is a regulatory mechanism where specific metabolites regulate the protein activity by binding to them and changing their energy landscape. The first steps to model this system on a colloidal scale were made by studying the depletion interaction between the hydrogel posts and the rigid polystyrene particles. Using soft lithography, hydrogel posts of different rigidity
were synthesized inside the microfluidic channel. Polystyrene particles and depletant (dextran) were added and the interaction between the posts and the particles was studied using optical microscopy and particle tracking.
However, major issues such as poor statistics, incomplete cross-linking of the hydrogel posts and irreversible sticking of polystyrene particles to the hydrogel hindered with the experimental results. Therefore, in this project, efforts are made to improve the experimental implementation of the model.
At the end of the project, it was observed that while optical tweezers offer a more controlled and refined way of measuring the interactive forces than the particle tracking using video microscopy, the limitations of the equipment in providing the location of the particle normal to the base of the channel hinder the estimation of the desired parameter. Furthermore, despite curing the hydrogel posts for a long period of time under the UV light, the rigid polystyrene particles still stick irreversibly to the post.
It is therefore recommended that the optical tweezer apparatus must be upgraded to provide the researcher with the position of particle normal to channel bottom. This can allow better estimation of the effect of the wall on the motion of the particle. The photo-crosslinking characteristics of the
hydrogel must be studied to determine the effect of the UV light on the gelation process.
The ultimate vision of the project is to develop innovative separation technologies based on the fundamental understanding of the interplay of the depletion forces and elastic energy of deformation.
of the hydrogel posts.