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High-probability grants
According to our matching algorithm, Michael Vershinin is the likely recipient of the following grants.
Years |
Recipients |
Code |
Title / Keywords |
Matching score |
2016 — 2019 |
Vershinin, Michael |
N/AActivity Code Description: No activity code was retrieved: click on the grant title for more information |
Biomechanics of Complex Microtubule Networks
Humans and many other organisms are comprised of cells which possess a complex biomechanical framework: the cytoskeleton. The composition and internal layout of the cytoskeleton is different from cell to cell. Some differences are purely random but there are also clear systematic architectural differences between various cell types. For example, cells involved in diseases (e.g. cancer) often have markedly different cytoskeleton from cells in a healthy organism. It is currently not clear how different cytoskeletal architectures relate to overall cell biomechanical properties. One of the problems hindering progress has been the inability to reproducibly assemble cytoskeletal networks in a controlled environment. However, a recently developed nano-scale assembly technique allows for exactly this: the longest and least flexible cytoskeletal filaments known as microtubules can now be assembled and manipulated with sufficient flexibility and precision to build structures in a controlled environment which mimic what is seen in cells. Research conducted under this award will use this novel approach to examine the biomechanical properties of a number of key biologically relevant filament architectures. The work will also examine how the biomechanics of microtubule cytoskeleton changes when the architecture is identical but the overall size of the filament structure is varied instead. These measurements together will provide both a big picture view (the role of microtubule network architecture in cellular biomechanics) and small scale perspective (how stress propagates across the network).
This research will examine several key microtubule network topologies. A recently demonstrated holographic optical trapping approach will be used to assemble microtubule networks in vitro in 3D. Holographic and ordinary trapping will be used together to manipulate and to probe such networks in situ. For a given network layout, this study will also establish how the biomechanical properties of the model network change with overall scale. Therefore, the extent to which select microtubule network architectures contribute to cellular biomechanics will be established. The role of filaments and cross-links with different mechanical properties will also be quantitatively examined using the same experimental technique.
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0.976 |
2020 — 2021 |
Saffarian, Saveez (co-PI) [⬀] Vershinin, Michael |
N/AActivity Code Description: No activity code was retrieved: click on the grant title for more information |
Rapid: Physics of Coronavirus Sars-Cov-2 Survival Outside a Host and Implications For Seasonal Dependence of Covid-19 Outbreaks
There is currently a lack of information on SARS-Cov-2 particle stability in varied environmental conditions. This project will create mechanistic insight which will estimate the persistence of infectious particles and is critical for predictions of viral spread as well as informing public health. Two graduate students will collaborate during these experiments. This work will form a substantial part of the graduate thesis for these students. Measurements of structural limits of viral particles using atomic force microscopy and holographic optical tweezers will also inform our general knowledge of the viral envelope stability as applied to other enveloped viruses.
The COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) virus poses an acute and novel public health crisis. The knowledge gained from the proposed work will immediately inform the projections of viral survivability under various environmental conditions. The measurements will also establish complete and efficient workflow for handling SARS-CoV-2 particles with advanced optical trapping and atomic force microscopy techniques. The technical expertise gained will be valuable in case similar measurements would be required under the highest bio-safety environments (BL4 condition) with live virions.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
|
0.976 |
2021 — 2024 |
Saffarian, Saveez (co-PI) [⬀] Vershinin, Michael |
N/AActivity Code Description: No activity code was retrieved: click on the grant title for more information |
Biomechanics Study of Sars-Cov-2 Virus-Like Particles
SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19, which has emerged as a potent human pathogen in 2019. The virus particles after secretion are in steady state with their environment and can be viewed as well assembled nano-machines ready to infect their next host. The viral genome and most of the viral proteins of SARS-CoV-2 are hidden within the lipid envelope of the virus, which forms a sphere of diameter 130 ± 30 nm. The viral envelope is also home to multiple copies of the spike protein S, which has a molecular weight of ~160kD and is inserted in the membrane with a single membrane spanning helical domain. The envelope is also underpinned by multiple copies of the M protein of SARS-CoV-2, which is approximately 25kD with triple membrane spanning helical domains. Together the S, M and the envelope of SARS-CoV-2 provide structural integrity for the virus particles as the particles travel through various environments between hosts. Utilizing a RAPID NSF award, over the past 6 months the PIs have established the minimal system to harvest SARS-CoV-2 virus like particles (VLPs) and identified regions in S and M proteins where genetic tags can be tolerated without effecting VLP structures. These VLPs have similar morphology (as well as S and M protein content) as fully infectious virions, but do not package the genome and therefore are not infectious. The PIs will study the mechanics of this viral pathogen. They will increase the participation of underrepresented groups in the pursuit of basic science at University of Utah and create opportunities for cross-disciplinary training at the university. The PIs will also train students and communicate science with the broader public.
The PIs preliminary data show that the S protein can shed and re-insert back into the viral envelope, in strong contrast with known behavior of other envelope-spanning glycoproteins from other enveloped viruses. The SARS-CoV-2 S protein is a major antigen recognized by the immune system. Shedding of the S protein is therefore relevant for progression of COVID-19 disease; however the basic physics and stochastic thermodynamics view of the S protein shedding/reinsertion needs to be understood in detail since there are no parallel models of such behavior among other enveloped viruses. To elucidate the mechanism of S protein shedding/reinsertion and its implication for viral infection the PIs will: (1) Measure the S protein shedding and re-insertion dynamics in single immobilized SARS-CoV-2 VLPs. The biologically active form of the S protein is a protein trimer. They will utilize single molecule fluorescence as well as force spectroscopy techniques to establish the S protein shedding/re-insertion dynamics. In addition the PIs will investigate the effects of S protein shedding-re-insertion on formation of trimers and also establish chemical and physical factors which promote and inhibit S protein shedding. (2) Model the effect of the S protein equilibrium on the viral life cycle.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
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0.976 |