Event Information

Weslyn Ward (Duke University)
Structural Studies of Melanin and Melanosomes
Abstract:
Melanin is a heterogeneous pigment found in mammalian hair, skin, eye, brain, and ear, as well as the ink sac of cuttlefish, feathers of birds, and fungus. Melanosomes are membrane-bound organelles containing melanin, lipids, proteins, and metals. The insolubility of the melanin has challenged scientists in its structural determination for nearly a century. The structural features causing the insolubility of melanin are not entirely understood.

Structural and compositional studies of the melanin and melanosomes were performed using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). A comparison of lipids in ocular melanosomes has shown the pigments demonstrate origin-dependent properties. Structural studies of sepia melanin using LC/MS/MS provide the first natural pigment building blocks to be observed. Studies of these portions provide insights on attachment schematics of the larger biopolymer.

Preliminary Examination

Monday, April 3, 2006, 12:30pm
Student Exams Seminar