Student Project Description

Broader Context

What is the general problem that you are addressing?

Arterial thrombosis is the final event that causes heart attack. Platelets are major contributor to arterial thrombosis, and nitric oxide is a platelet inhibitor that is synthesized by platelets. Currently, the role of platelet-synthesized nitric oxide remains unclear.

Specific Problem

What is the specific need that you are addressing?

There is a need for a tool that can provide a spatial map of the localization of nitric oxide during the process of platelet activation, aggregation and adhesion.

Approach

What approach are you taking to this problem?

The tool is based on the bonding of NO to heme and the subsequent change in the absorption spectrum of the heme. Hemoglobin, or another heme-containing molecule, will be layered onto a surface through the layer-by-layer assembly process, and after an experiment in which NO is released by platelets, the surface will be scanned by absorbance spectroscopy for methemoglobin (Hb that has bound an NO molecule).

Student Project

What specific question will the student answer in this project?

How does the absorbance spectrum for bound and unbound Hb change as a function of concentration of NO?

Potential Publications

Name at least one publication that may arise from the student’s work.

Effect of the layer-by-layer assembly process on the absorbance spectrum of Methemoglobin