CD spectropolarimeter - Project Summary The objective of this proposal is to request a circular dichroism (CD) spectropolarimeter to enhance the biomedical research and education capabilities at UMass Dartmouth and in Southern Massachusetts. The requested instrument is a JASCO CD spectropolarimeter that covers a broad spectral range (163-1600 nm) and comes with accessories, including a temperature control stage, micro-sampling, titration system, and a solid-state measurement unit. Biological molecules are chiral, and their structures play a crucial role in regulating cellular functions and impacting human diseases. The CD spectropolarimeter is a valuable tool for characterizing these structures. The requested instrument will be used to investigate the structures of chiral nanoparticles and biomolecules, thereby supporting ongoing research and educational programs in the biomedical fields at UMass Dartmouth. These efforts align with the university's long-term goal of advancing biomedical research and developing therapeutic methods for the treatment of human diseases. We urgently require this instrument as it will be the only CD spectropolarimeter at UMass Dartmouth and in Southern Massachusetts. Currently, faculty members who rely on the CD spectropolarimeter in their research send samples to an external company and pay a usage fee of $100 per sample. The absence of this instrument hampers the progress of biomedical research and impedes the development of educational programs at UMass Dartmouth. The CD spectropolarimeter not only supports the research efforts of major users but also promotes collaborations among faculty members in the Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Biology, and Bioengineering. Furthermore, several undergraduate and graduate lab courses will benefit from this instrument by incorporating new labs, as the CD spectropolarimeter is currently inaccessible to users on our campus. Moreover, if funded, it will provide research and education opportunities for local universities and community colleges in Southern Massachusetts, as it will be the only CD spectropolarimeter available in this region. Broad access to this instrument is expected, with users from UMass Dartmouth, local academic institutes, and industry partners. We anticipate significant benefits from this NIH instrument grant.
