Fellow Bios
Justin Williams
Thesis Title: Affinity of α-Tocopherol for Polyunsaturated Phospholipids Characterized by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry and UV Absorption
Graduate Dept: Physics
Degree Sought: PhD
Research Advisor: Dr. Stephen R. Wassall
Lab Website: Click Here
Teacher Partner: Stacey Farley-Matlock
Partner School: Southport High School
School URL: Click Here
Research Goal
My current research goal is to determine if α-tocopherol (Vitamin E) has a preference for plasma membrane regions rich in polyunsaturated fatty acid containing phospholipids.
Description of Your Research
I study the structural and functional role of α-tocopherol in membranes using a variety of biophysical techniques. At the moment I am using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and UV absorption to calculate partition coefficients of α-tocopherol between methyl-β-cyclodextrin and large unilamellar vesicles with varying concentrations of polyunsaturated phospholipids. I also utilize solid state H2 NMR to determine the effect α-tocopherol has on membrane order.
Examples Of How My Research Is Integrated Into My GK-12 Experience
I will bring examples biophysical techniques into the classroom, and present a PowerPoint of my research. With the presentation of my ITC work I will emphasize the steps of the scientific method and the efforts I make to minimize sources of error. I am developing a lab to demonstrate what Atomic Force Microscopy is: a technique that scans details of surfaces too small to be seen with optical microscopes. It will incorporate Hooke's Law by using springs to probe a surface created in the lab, and we will use Excel to produce a topographical plot of the surface we probed. We will see how accurately we can recreate the features of the surface by feeling rather than seeing.
Currently, My GK-12 Classroom Is Investigating
Gravitational Force
Links of Interest