Session E-5: Use of Phycocyanin to Teach Protein Folding
Session Number
E-5
Grade Level
Grade Level: 11-12
Start Date
1-3-2013 2:10 PM
End Date
1-3-2013 3:10 PM
Description
Phycocyanin is a protein found in Spirulina that holds a pigment called the tetrapyrrole molecule in a linear conformation. The pigment is used in photosynthesis and turns purple when light is shined on it. If the phycocyanin protein is denatured, this linear conformation is disrupted and there will be no fluorescence. The use of this protein in teaching protein structures in the lab helps the students to visually see if the protein is folded correctly or not. In this session, participants will try out a part of the lab to see the effect of protein misfolding as the phycocyanin is exposed to various solutions.
Session E-5: Use of Phycocyanin to Teach Protein Folding
Phycocyanin is a protein found in Spirulina that holds a pigment called the tetrapyrrole molecule in a linear conformation. The pigment is used in photosynthesis and turns purple when light is shined on it. If the phycocyanin protein is denatured, this linear conformation is disrupted and there will be no fluorescence. The use of this protein in teaching protein structures in the lab helps the students to visually see if the protein is folded correctly or not. In this session, participants will try out a part of the lab to see the effect of protein misfolding as the phycocyanin is exposed to various solutions.