Wing Yan Wu L&S Biological Sciences
Development of a High-Throughput Phosphate Assay
Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is a fundamental signaling molecule and the universal product of energy consumption. Beyond its role in metabolism, Pi is a central component of protein phosphorylation, the primary signaling hub regulating eukaryotic cell growth and metabolic flux. Despite its important role, real-time monitoring of Pi release from ATPases, GTPases, and phosphatases remains technically constrained.
Real-time tracking is critical because phosphorylation is a highly reversible process. Traditional end-point assays fail to capture rapid, transient signaling shifts; thus, a high-resolution kinetic tool is required to reveal the dynamic behavior of enzymatic systems. Existing methods, such as molybdate or malachite green assays, suffer from reagent instability, narrow pH tolerances, and off-target interference.
To overcome these barriers, this project will engineer a fluorescence-based phosphate-binding protein for sensitive, real-time kinetic measurements in vitro. This reagentless sensor will extend an existing proof-of-concept to high-throughput drug screening, enabling rapid and sensitive detection of enzyme inhibitors for next-generation disease therapeutics.
Message To Sponsor
I am incredibly grateful for your support, which allows me to develop a high-throughput phosphate sensor for drug discovery against neurodegenerative diseases. My passion for this project stems from a desire to bridge the gap between fundamental biochemistry and clinical translation. Thank you for investing in my growth as a scholar and in the potential of this research to impact the future of medicine.