Upcoming Seminar

Nanodiscs, Membrane Proteins, and Mass Spectrometry: New Tools for Studying Protein-Lipid Interaction

Dr. Michael Marty, '10
Friday September 26th, 3:15, Regents 310

Membrane proteins play a critical role in biochemistry, bioenergy, and pharmaceuticals. However,
little is known about interactions between membrane proteins and their lipid bilayer environment.
This is largely due to a lack of adequate tools for quantifying these complex interactions. Nanodiscs,
nanoscale lipoprotein particles modeled after HDL, provide a unique platform for studying
membrane proteins in a homogeneous and monodisperse lipid bilayer environment. I will present
research examining membrane proteins embedded in Nanodiscs with native ion mobility-mass
spectrometry. Native mass spectrometry preserves noncovalent interactions, allowing detection
of the intact membrane protein-Nanodisc complex as well as metastable dissociation products.
Comparing the masses of these dissociation products with molecular dynamics simulations
reveals a “magic number” of lipids that corresponds to the number of polar contacts between
the membrane protein and its lipid bilayer annular belt. This combination of nanotechnology,
biochemistry, and mass spectrometry provides new tools for quantifying interactions between the
lipid bilayer and membrane proteins.

Canon River Clean-Up

The Canon River Watershed Partnership (CRWP) is asking for volunteers for the Annual Watershed Wide Cleanup

The cleanup is September 20th from 9 AM - Noon. Most St. Olaf students go to Sechler Park here in Northfield. Students do not need to bring anything as we will have trash bags and gloves provided (and a lunch!)

Email Alana Bartolai <alana@crwp.net> if interested in joining or sign up online at http://crwp.net/work/watershed-cleanup/.

Resources from the Piper Center

St. Olaf Professional Development Resources:

Grant Eustice (eustic1@stolaf.edu), Fellowships Coach in the Piper Center - Advise students interested in applying for nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships.

Susie Kramer (kramer1@stolaf.edu) Pre-Health Career Coach at the Piper Center. Works with students (freshman-seniors) interested in pursuing a career as a healthcare professional (MD, DO, PT, OT, Nursing, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, Dent, Vet, Pharm, etc.). Feel welcome to schedule a meeting via Ole Career Central for any of your career needs (discerning a path in healthcare, choosing a major, finding a healthcare professional to shadow, internship opportunities, research opportunities, applying to professional schools, resume, cover letter, etc.).

ACS Student Rep to the 2014 UN Climate Conference

Become an ACS Student Representative to the UN Climate Conference 

Lima, Peru; December 1 – 12, 2014

The deadline to apply to serve as an ACS student representative to the December UN climate conference in Lima, Peru is July 1, 2014. The purpose of this project is to promote climate science literacy among college and university students by employing social media as a tool and the annual UN climate conference as a platform. “Climate Change Literacy and Education” is one of four “Actions” recommended by the ACS Climate Change Public Policy Statement.  See the flyer for additional information.

Application procedures and additional information can be found at:  

http://faculty.ycp.edu/~gfoy/
 

Click on the link:  UNFCCC COP 20 Application

NSF Scholarship to attend Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference

Apply Now for the 2014 NSF Student Scholarships!     The ACS Green Chemistry Institute®, through a generous grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), is making available scholarship opportunities for students to attend the 18th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference (GC&E) in North Bethesda, Maryland, June 17-19, 2014 and the GC&E Student Workshop on Monday, June 16, 2014 in Washington, DC.   The NSF Scholars program will reimburse students for travel, accommodations, and registrations fee, up to a maximum of $1000. Eligibility includes undergraduate, graduate or postdoctoral students registered in an accredited U.S. college or university. Limited scholarships are available so apply now!    Take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your understanding of sustainable and green chemistry and engineering!   Application Instructions and Further Details     The GC&E Student Workshop – Monday, June 16, 2014 – Located at the American Chemical Society headquarters in Washington DC, this hands on workshop will help students understand how to evaluate the impact of chemicals and syntheses and choose greener options for their own research or labs. The workshop will be led by Dr. Marty Mulvihill (University of California - Berkeley) along with Dr. Marie Bourgeois (Professor, University of South Florida), Dr. Douglas Raynie (Professor, South Dakota State University), and Dr. David Constable (ACS GCI).    The 18th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference – June 17-19, 2014 – Students will learn about the innovations and applications of green chemistry and engineering that are contributing towards designing a more sustainable world. The conference program includes over 30 technical sessions, daily keynotes, a careers workshop, a student poster competition, and opportunity to network at the opening night reception.       We hope to see you there! The ACS Green Chemistry Institute® Team

MPCA Summer Student Worker for Green Chemistry Projects

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is seeking a student worker to support green chemistry projects this summer and possibly into the fall depending on scheduling and funding.

The job posting and application procedure is available at https://statejobs.doer.state.mn.us/JobPosting/890af31bb1489abbd6578a96dec0bc0a/View.

You must have a resume on file at the My State Job Search site before you can apply.

Applications will be accepted through May 14, 2014.

UMN and ACS to honor legacy of Professor Izaak M. Kolthoff - 12/13 Sep 2014 - Save the Date

Join us as we honor the legacy of legendary chemistry Professor Izaak M. Kolthoff

University of Minnesota Professor Izaak M. Kolthoff's (1894-1993) work in establishing the field of analytical chemistry as a scientific discipline has received the prestigious honor of being named a 2014 American Chemical Society National Historic Chemical Landmark. This news coincides with a celebration of the centennial of Smith Hall, the classic chemistry building on the University's Northrop Mall named after Lee Irvin Smith, a professor and administrator in the Department of Chemistry from 1920-1960. Mark your calendar now to celebrate with us!

Public Ceremony
Landmark Designation and Smith Hall Centennial
Friday, Sept. 12, 2014
4 p.m.
Smith Hall, University of Minnesota
207 Pleasant St. SE, Minneapolis

The ceremony includes a plaque unveiling and public dedication in Kolthoff's honor. Speakers will represent the University of Minnesota and the American Chemical Society. The event also includes tours and a reception.

Research Symposium 
Honoring Kolthoff's Scientific Legacy
Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Smith Hall, University of Minnesota
207 Pleasant St. SE, Minneapolis

The symposium will feature National Academy of Sciences members:

• Professor Allen Bard, University of Texas at Austin
• Professor Harry Gray, California Institute of Technology
• Professor Laura Kiessling, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Professor Judith Klinman, University of California, Berkeley
• Professor Richard Zare, Stanford University

Event sponsors include:

• University of Minnesota Department of Chemistry
• University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering
• Minnesota Section of the American Chemical Society

For more information, visit the event web page or send an email tochemnhld@umn.edu. More information and registration details will be available in June.

Sincerely,

William B. Tolman
Distinguished McKnight University Professor and Chair
Department of Chemistry

College of Science and Engineering
University of Minnesota