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Michael F. Brown
Professor of Chemistry, Biochemistry & Molecular
Biophysics, and Physics
Ph.D., University of California, Santa Cruz
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; membrane proteins;
chemistry of membranes and liquid crystals; molecular basis of vision.
Research Interests
Our research centers about the study of membrane structure
and function, employing primarily NMR spectroscopy for structural
work and biochemical assays and flash protolysis methods for investigations
of membrane protein function. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy is used
to study both membrane proteins and membrane lipid bilayers. We are
presently investigating the influences of the bilayer thickness, degree
of polyunsaturation, and incorporation of cholesterol and proteins
on the properties of phospholipids in membranes. NMR techniques are
similarly being used to study membrane-associated peptides and proteins,
which are receptors for light, hormones, and neurotransmitters. Moreover,
we are engaged in applying solid-state NMR approaches to DNA, which
provides a basis for investigations of protein-nucleic acid interactions.
Besides structural studies, we are exploring the influences
of membrane properties on key biological functions including signal
transduction. The protein rhodopsin is a receptor for a photon of
visible light and is similar to receptors for hormones present on
cell surfaces. We are currently studying how the bilayer governs the
conformational energetics of rhodopsin linked to signal transduction
in the visual process. Rapid kinetic spectrophotometry is employed,
together with appropriate kinetic and thermodynamic modeling of the
results. In addition, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy
is used to study conformational changes of rhodopsin in planar membranes.
Our research is multidisciplinary and provides opportunities for graduate
training in biochemical and biophysical techniques, including NMR
and optical spectroscopies; membrane biochemistry; and biotechnology.
Select Publications
Any link on the below references will take you off
of the BMCB site and to an abstract of that particular paper.
Brown, M.F., and A.A. Nevzorov. 1999. 2H-NMR in liquid
crystals and membranes. Colloids and Surfaces 158: 281-298.
Moltke, S., A.A. Nevzorov, N. Sakai, I. Wallat, C. Job, K. Nakanishi,
M.P. Heyn, and M.F. Brown. 1998. Chromophore orientation in bacteriorhodopsin
determined from the angular dependence of deuterium NMR spectra
of oriented purple membranes. Biochemistry 37: 11821-11835.
Brown, M. F. 1997. Influences of nonlamellar-forming lipids on
rhodopsin. In: Current Topics in Membranes (Epand, R.M.,
Ed.), pp. 285-356. Academic Press, San Diego.
Contact Information
Mailing:
Michael F. Brown , Professor
Department of Chemistry
University of Arizona
Old Chemistry 226
P.O. Box 210041
Tucson, AZ 85721-0041
Web Site: Home
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Telephone:
520-621-2163 (Office)
Fax:
520-621-8407
Email:
mfbrown@email.arizona.edu |
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May 2008
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