Nanobiohybrids: Combining the Catalytic Activity of Metallic Nanoparticles and Alkaline Phosphatase

School Name

South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Chemistry

Presentation Type

Mentored

Abstract

Nanobiohybrids are created by blending functional nanomaterials and living systems. Recent work has provided substantial evidence related to advantages of combining proteins with metallic nanoparticles. The objective is to develop a nanobiohybrid combining Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and metallic nanoparticles. The hypothesis is that a hybrid would promote a two-step catalytic transformation and do it more efficiently than individual components. The affinity between different sized copper metallic nanoparticles (from 1 Å (angstroms) to 20 Å) and ALP was calculated using the entire ALP and the top & bottom halves of the protein separately. The affinity decreases from approximately -2 for the 1 Å copper metallic nanoparticles (as the ligand) to approx. -32 for the 20 Å ligand. The protein-ligand complex is more stable regardless the area of the protein the ligand docked on when the ligand is larger. The effects of multiple ligands at a time on one protein were also measured using 9 Å ligands. Despite additional ligands, affinity values stayed fairly consistent. Secondly, catalytic activity of copper nanoparticles with para-Nitrophenyl Phosphate was examined by looking at absorbance of dilutions of p-NPP (with a buffer) with and without copper nanoparticles added. Copper metallic nanoparticles were effective in acting as a domino catalyst by speeding up the reaction of p-NPP to p-AP. This was measured using a spectrophotometer at 400 nm. This research demonstrates that ALP could be effective and is more stable as it grows larger. Additional research could measure catalytic activity of ALP and copper nanoparticles when combined.

Location

HSS 202

Start Date

4-2-2022 9:30 AM

Presentation Format

Oral Only

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Apr 2nd, 9:30 AM

Nanobiohybrids: Combining the Catalytic Activity of Metallic Nanoparticles and Alkaline Phosphatase

HSS 202

Nanobiohybrids are created by blending functional nanomaterials and living systems. Recent work has provided substantial evidence related to advantages of combining proteins with metallic nanoparticles. The objective is to develop a nanobiohybrid combining Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and metallic nanoparticles. The hypothesis is that a hybrid would promote a two-step catalytic transformation and do it more efficiently than individual components. The affinity between different sized copper metallic nanoparticles (from 1 Å (angstroms) to 20 Å) and ALP was calculated using the entire ALP and the top & bottom halves of the protein separately. The affinity decreases from approximately -2 for the 1 Å copper metallic nanoparticles (as the ligand) to approx. -32 for the 20 Å ligand. The protein-ligand complex is more stable regardless the area of the protein the ligand docked on when the ligand is larger. The effects of multiple ligands at a time on one protein were also measured using 9 Å ligands. Despite additional ligands, affinity values stayed fairly consistent. Secondly, catalytic activity of copper nanoparticles with para-Nitrophenyl Phosphate was examined by looking at absorbance of dilutions of p-NPP (with a buffer) with and without copper nanoparticles added. Copper metallic nanoparticles were effective in acting as a domino catalyst by speeding up the reaction of p-NPP to p-AP. This was measured using a spectrophotometer at 400 nm. This research demonstrates that ALP could be effective and is more stable as it grows larger. Additional research could measure catalytic activity of ALP and copper nanoparticles when combined.