| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/C535421/1 |
| Title: |
Friction of biomolecules at interface: A fundamental examination of biolubrication mechanisms |
| Principal Investigator: |
Briscoe, Dr WH |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Oxford Chemistry |
| Organisation: |
University of Oxford |
| Scheme: |
Postdoc Res Fellowship PreFEC |
| Starts: |
04 April 2005 |
Ends: |
03 April 2008 |
Value (£): |
163,908
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Development (Biosciences) |
Surfaces & Interfaces |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Biolubrication is characterized by the remarkable ease with which some biological tissue surfaces (e.g., in eyes and mammalian joints) slide past each other. Our fundamental understanding of biolubrication processes is very limited. We propose to study on a molecular level friction between surfaces bearing two types of biological molecules (phospholipid and hyaluronic acid) that are implicated in biolubrication, using two unique experimental techniques: the SFB at Oxford University and the MASIF at Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm. The central theme of our proposed study is to correlate measured friction with the well characterized surface structures formed by these biological molecules. The main experimental challenges we face include 1) doing novel chemistry on mica, i.e., constructing and characterizing phospholipid membranes of controlled composition on mica surface suitable for the SFB technique; and 2) adding ultra-sensitive friction measurement capability to the MASIF. Our results are expected to improve the fundamental understanding of the role of various biological molecules in biolubrication, and help us to design effective environmentally friendly aqueous lubricants.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.ox.ac.uk |