Project:	Novel Protein Polymers for Biosensing
Disciplines:	Chemistry, Biology, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics, CNS
Mentor:	Eva Rose Balog, Associate Professor of Chemistry, (CCE), ebalog@une.edu, Phone: 207-602-2608
Mentor URL:	https://www.une.edu/people/eva-rose-m-balog  (opens in new window)
Background:	NOTE: This project is being offered by a Caltech alum and is open only to Caltech students. The project will be conducted at the University of New England in Portland, Maine. This position will also fund project-related conference travel to Wyoming at the end of July. The goal of research in the Balog lab is to remove barriers to the practical application of engineered proteins in biomaterials and biotechnology, through a deeper understanding of how to predict and control protein behaviors in different contexts.
Description:	The student will design, express, purify, and characterize engineered proteins for incorporation into electrochemical biosensors, with an ultimate goal of sensing protein analytes in biomanufacturing applications. The student will join a project with collaborations with computational protein designers and chemical engineers to develop engineering principles for analyte-responsive protein polymer surfaces. Lab techniques may include molecular cloning, bacterial cell culture, column chromatography, calorimetry, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, fluorescent assay development, and/or flow imaging microscopy.
References:	https://www.nhepscor.org/research-project-2-design-analyte-responsive-polymers
Student Requirements:	Ch1, Ph1, Bi8/Bi1 some prior hands-on laboratory experience preferred, whether in class or outside of class
Programs:	This AO can be done under the following programs:   Program    Available To        SURF    Caltech students only  Click on a program name for program info and application requirements.