George Fox University | Academics | Departments | Biology and Chemistry | Chemistry | Michael Everest's Research

Michael Everest: Research Interests

â?¢ The Project. Michael uses a tunable nanosecond dye laser to study the sticking (adsorption) of proteins to glass. Many proteins stick to almost any surface because they have regions that are polar and regions that are non-polar.

â?¢ Who Cares? The adsorption, or sticking, of proteins to solid surfaces is of great practical significance in several fields including the rejection of surgical implants, degradation of contact lenses, the formation of plaque on teeth, and the formation of deposits on ship hulls. There are also positive applications of the special nature of proteins including their use as stabilizers in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and foods as well as their use in the development of bio-sensors and biochips.

â?¢ OK, so people care. What about the science? The specific mechanism of protein adsorption is currently poorly understood. Therefore, protein adsorption presents a significant problem of both technical and fundamental interest.

â?¢ What's new? Most recently, the group has been looking in to two main questions:
- What is the orientation of hemoglobin when it sticks to glass?
- Is there a difference in the color between oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin when it is stuck to glass.

Student Researchers:
Greg Haveman Summer 2002
Greg Haveman Fall 2002
Roxy Lowry Fall 2002
Andy Haehlen Summer 2003
Chris Kleiwer Summer 2003
Victoria Black Summer 2004
Holly O'Neill Summer 2004
Victoria Black Summer 2005
Marylesa Wilde Summer 2005
Victoria Black Summer 2006
Marylesa Wilde Summer 2006