Science Fair Project- Proteins, Structure, and other possible ideas

[deleted-378013]

Hi there!

I am doing a science fair project this year on a topic I have not explored to much extent: Microbiology . On science buddies, I found an interesting topic which involved the use of online genetics databases to create 3-dimensional models of proteins. However, I did not find a strict scientific method in it, which I would like in my project. I was thinking of doing a topic that involved these digital calculations and diagrams, but also a manual experiment that involved something such as gel electrophoresis, and pertained to immunology. Do you have any ideas as to how to combine all of these aspects into a question or topic? I need a response as soon as possible, in order to submit it to my teacher and mentor. I was thinking of something such as calculating some aspect of the proteins using the computer model, and then testing that using gel electrophoresis. Do you have any ideas of how I could do this? Please respond soon, and thank you so much.

Sincerely,
Anson Noland

[pswiatko]

Hi Anson,

Thank you for posting!

So you're looking for a topic that combines 3D protein modeling, empirical test, and it should be related to immunology, is this correct? First thing that comes to my mind is protein misfolding and aggregation (Alzherimer's disease!) which is a big problem in many pathologies (inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, aging). An easy experiments would be to denature a protein (heat or a detergent - SDS) and run it against the same protein in it's native state. They should run differently depending on protein's tertiaty and quarternary structures. Just make sure your buffers or gels don't contain any detergents or denaturing agents. You could also modify your protein (tag it with GFP!) and run against the native protein (it will run differently based on size).

In summary, I would talk about neurodegeneration (protein misfodling and aggregation) OR aging (actin aggregation), and how changes in protein folding/aggregation have detrimental effects.

Hope this helps!

Peter S.

[deleted-378013]

Thank you!

This information is very helpful, and I will use it in my science fair project. I am very grateful that you replied, and with such an in-depth answer.

Sincerely,
Anson Noland