Mechanical Engineering Seminar by Dr. Shafigh Mehraeen on Friday, 1/23/15
When: Friday,
January 23, 2015
1:15 PM
-
2:30 PM
Where: Textiles Building 101E
Description: The Mechanical Engineering Department is pleased to present the following SEMINAR:
Friday, January 23, 2015
1:15 PM - 2:30 PM
Textile Building, Room 101E
SPEAKER:
Dr. Shafigh Mehraeen, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
TOPIC:
The Role of Molecular Elasticity in Biopolymers Behavior and Protein Self-Assembly
ABSTRACT:
Molecular structure of many polymers including biopolymers creates elastic rigidity that impacts polymers behavior. Understanding this impact is critical to address the physics describing variety of single-molecule experiments and biological processes. In this talk, utilizing analytical theories and numerical methods, I illustrate the effect of molecular elasticity on the behavior of single molecules employed in tethered-bead single-molecule experiments as well as the morphology of assemblages in protein self-assembly processes.
Tethered-bead single-molecule experiments, using optical and magnetic tweezers, are employed to characterize thermodynamics and kinetics of biomolecules such as DNA and RNA during biomolecular processes. In these experiments, I address the effect of thermal fluctuation, focusing on the equilibrium statistical behavior of specific class of underling single molecules, which act as semiflexible polymers, to gain insight into the physics governing their behavior. To demonstrate the role that molecular elasticity plays in protein self-assembly processes, I focus on clathrin protein, a protein recruited by the cell wall for ingesting food particles during endocytosis. I demonstrate that molecular elasticity and binding affinity have a significant impact on the versatile equilibrium and nonequilibrium assemblages occurred in clathrin protein self-assembly process. These results are essential in guiding experiments utilizing clathrin proteins in biotemplating for self-assembly of nanostructures.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Shafigh Mehraeen is currently working as Postdoctoral Fellow at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is currently working on developing theoretical models to predict directed self-assembly of nanoparticles, explore anomalies in reactive and diffusive systems, and predict energy loss mechanisms of charge generation and transport within light-harvesting systems. He received his doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University. His doctoral research addressed on the role of molecular elasticity in biopolymers and protein self-assembly. His research interests are focused on developing theoretical models and analytical methods to understand driving mechanisms in (directed) self-assembly and charge transport phenomena in nanosciences..
For more information please contact Dr. Vijay Chalivendra (vchalivendra@umassd.edu, 508-910-6572).
All are welcome and Mechanical Engineering students are encouraged to attend.
Light refreshments will be served.
Friday, January 23, 2015
1:15 PM - 2:30 PM
Textile Building, Room 101E
SPEAKER:
Dr. Shafigh Mehraeen, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
TOPIC:
The Role of Molecular Elasticity in Biopolymers Behavior and Protein Self-Assembly
ABSTRACT:
Molecular structure of many polymers including biopolymers creates elastic rigidity that impacts polymers behavior. Understanding this impact is critical to address the physics describing variety of single-molecule experiments and biological processes. In this talk, utilizing analytical theories and numerical methods, I illustrate the effect of molecular elasticity on the behavior of single molecules employed in tethered-bead single-molecule experiments as well as the morphology of assemblages in protein self-assembly processes.
Tethered-bead single-molecule experiments, using optical and magnetic tweezers, are employed to characterize thermodynamics and kinetics of biomolecules such as DNA and RNA during biomolecular processes. In these experiments, I address the effect of thermal fluctuation, focusing on the equilibrium statistical behavior of specific class of underling single molecules, which act as semiflexible polymers, to gain insight into the physics governing their behavior. To demonstrate the role that molecular elasticity plays in protein self-assembly processes, I focus on clathrin protein, a protein recruited by the cell wall for ingesting food particles during endocytosis. I demonstrate that molecular elasticity and binding affinity have a significant impact on the versatile equilibrium and nonequilibrium assemblages occurred in clathrin protein self-assembly process. These results are essential in guiding experiments utilizing clathrin proteins in biotemplating for self-assembly of nanostructures.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Shafigh Mehraeen is currently working as Postdoctoral Fellow at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is currently working on developing theoretical models to predict directed self-assembly of nanoparticles, explore anomalies in reactive and diffusive systems, and predict energy loss mechanisms of charge generation and transport within light-harvesting systems. He received his doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University. His doctoral research addressed on the role of molecular elasticity in biopolymers and protein self-assembly. His research interests are focused on developing theoretical models and analytical methods to understand driving mechanisms in (directed) self-assembly and charge transport phenomena in nanosciences..
For more information please contact Dr. Vijay Chalivendra (vchalivendra@umassd.edu, 508-910-6572).
All are welcome and Mechanical Engineering students are encouraged to attend.
Light refreshments will be served.
Topical Areas: University Community, Mechanical Engineering