Tuesday, 29th March 2005 (3214 views)

Scientists from Stanford University are looking into using a gold nanoparticle and colour sensor technology to look for protein conformation change.

Every protein is folded into a unique, three-dimensional shape that allows it to function properly and by using this test scientists can see when a protein molecule folds or unfolds.

The test works by the colour changing when a protein molecule attached to a gold nanoparticle folds or unfolds, working in a similar way to everyday pH tests that measure water acidity.

Study co-author Richard N Zare and professor at the University's department of chemistry, said: "What we've developed is a simple and inexpensive sensor for determining when a protein changes its conformation.

"We chose gold nanoparticles because they are simple to prepare, easy to control and cost effective. To the best of our knowledge, however, gold nanoparticles have not been previously used to investigate the folding and unfolding of proteins."

The experiment saw a liquid solution created containing nano-sized particles of gold saturated with protein cytochrome c.

Findings revealed that when pH value changed the solution changed colour and gold nanoparticles coated with the protein began clumping together, a process that caused the solution to quickly change colour as acidity increased.

It is hoped that a gold nanoparticle sensor could end up as a quick and inexpensive method for doctors, whereby they could find antibodies and other signs of infection in the blood stream.

"While we're not ready to mass-produce this technology, we believe it will eventually be useful for testing other, more complicated proteins," Mr Zare said.

 

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