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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/H034706/1
Title: Functional Imaging: Atomic Force Imaging using probes functionalized with modified enzymes.
Principal Investigator: Cadby, Dr AJ
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Physics and Astronomy
Organisation: University of Sheffield
Scheme: Standard Research
Starts: 31 January 2011 Ends: 30 January 2014 Value (£): 198,781
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Analytical Science Chemical Biology
Surfaces & Interfaces
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Chemicals
Related Grants:
EP/H035192/1
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Keeping things clean requires large amounts of energy, everyone on the planet uses energy to keep cloths clean and this puts a huge demand on the environment. Current cleaning detergents are a complex chemical and biological components, but in terms of their cleaning composition but can broadly be considered to contain (i) surfactants to solubilise fabric-based stains; (ii) enzymes to digest stains and (iii) bleaches to degrade and increase the hydrophillicity of coloured stains. In this project we use an atomic force microscope to study how individual enzymes digest stains. The atomic force microscope will measure the interaction strength between an enzyme and an oil surface. Once we have an understanding of this process we will use this knowledge to modify the enzymes in order to allow them to work at lower temperatures. These modified enzymes will be studied using the atomic force microscope under the conditions the enzymes would face in a typical washing cycle, this will allow us to further improve the efficiency of the enzyme.
Key Findings
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.shef.ac.uk