Particle size of beta amyloid peptide aggregates using dynamic light scattering

CHED 1428

Katherine Centrella, centrell@simmons.edu1, Jennifer Roeklein-Canfield, jennifer.roecklein@simmons.edu2, D. Bruce Gray, dbruce.gray@simmons.edu3, and Patrick Johnson1. (1) Department of Physics, Simmons College, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115, (2) Department of Chemistry, Simmons College, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115, (3) Department of Biology, Simmons College, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115
The changes in estimated particle size during aggregation of beta amyloid (1-42) peptide were investigated using dynamic laser light scattering. Differences in aggregate size have been directly correlated with functional pathology in neuronal preparations. Aggregates are typically found in the brains of patients who have Alzheimer's Disease. Using dynamic light scattering, beta amyloid aggregate size can be estimated by measuring the diffusion rate of the particles in solution. Initial measurements show a diversity of particle sizes in the sample. We hypothesized nano-sized bubbles were induced during filtration and preparation of samples. This hypothesis was supported by several experiments. We will demonstrate the use of dynamic light scattering to better understand the process of beta amyloid (1-42) peptide aggregation over time.
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Physical Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007