Our group studies the properties of protein solutions with the goal of controlling and optimizing crystallization processes. To this end, we are developing a fundamental understanding of protein interactions in solution, which sets the basis for a rational approach to the screening of crystallization conditions. Major investigations are devoted to measure protein-protein interactions by means of scattering methods (light and neutron scattering) and chromatography, and to relate the observed trends to optimal crystallization conditions.

Recently, work has been extended to crystallization of membrane proteins. Here surfactants are required to extract these amphiphilic proteins from their native environment, yet they pose additional challenges due to the complicated interplay of surfactant and protein interactions. 

 

Recent and Current Researchers:

Bryan Berger

Gabriella Santonicola

André Dumetz

Carolina Bianco

Chris Gillespie

 

Kelley Kearns

 
Selected Publications:
  • "Relating surfactant properties to activity and solubilization of the human adenosine A(3) receptor", B. W. Berger, R. Y. Garcia, A. M. Lenhoff, E. W. Kaler, C. R. Robinson, Biophys. J., 89, 459 (2005).
  • "The role of protein and surfactant interactions in membrane-protein crystallization", B. W. Berger, C. M. Gendron, C. R. Robinson, E. W. Kaler, A. M. Lenhoff, Acta Cryst. D, 61, 724 (2005).
  • "Quantitative Imaging by Confocal Scanning Fluorescence Microscopy of Protein Crystallization via Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation", D. Vivares, E. W. Kaler, A.M. Lenhoff, Acta Cryst. D, 61, 819 (2004).
  • "Understanding the effects of solution conditions on the solubility and structure of the integral membrane protein Omp X", C. L. Bianco, B. W. Berger, E. W. Kaler, C. R. Robinson, A. M. Lenhoff, Protein Sci., 13, 172 (2004).
  • "A Model for Hydration Interactions between Apoferritin Molecules in Solution", V. N. Paunov, E. W. Kaler, S. I. Sandler and D. N. Petsev, J. Colloid and Interface Sci., 240, 640 (2001).
  • "Effects of Bile Salts on Cholestan-3β, 5α, 6β-triol-induced Apoptosis in Dog Gallbladder Epithelial Cells", T. Yoshida, J. H. Klinkspoor, R. Kuver, M. Poot, P. S. Rabinovitch, S. P. Wrenn, E. W. Kaler and S. P. Lee, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1530, 199 (2001).
  • "Surfactant Diffusion into Lysozyme Crystal Matrices Investigated by Quantitative Fluorescence Microscopy", O. D. Velev, E. W. Kaler and A. M. Lenhoff, J. Phys. Chem. B, 104, 9267 (2000).
  • "Photochemical Micromachining of Lysozyme Crystals", O. D. Velev, E. W. Kaler and A. M. Lenhoff, Advanced Materials 11, 1345 (1999).
  • "Why is the Osmotic Second Virial Coefficient Related to Protein Crystallization", B. L. Neal, D. Asthagiri, O. D. Velev, A. M. Lenhoff and E. W. Kaler, J. Cryst. Growth 196, 377 (1999).
  • "Protein Interactions in Solution Characterized by Light and Neutron Scattering: Comparison of Lysozyme and Chymotrypsinogen", O. D. Velev, E. W. Kaler and A. M. Lenhoff, Biophys. J., 75, 2682 (1998).