1. Understanding how PIP 2 regulates its charge Alex Travesset, Iowa State University, DMR 0748475 Introduction: PIP 2 is a phospholipid that despite being present in tiny amounts on the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane participates, in combination with a huge number of diverse proteins, in almost nearly all signaling events occurring across cell walls. The goal is to understand the interactions that make PIP 2 such a special phospholipid. Research highlights: During this first year, research in collaboration with grad student Sweta Vangaveti has focused on developing a coarse-grained analytical molecular model to describe the electrostatic properties of general phospholipids. With this model we have been able to establish a number of important results: Calculated analytically constants describing binding of counterions and phospholipids, in excellent agreement with experiments. Chemical effects, such as pH or ionic specificity are included consistently, and are crucial to properly account for the phospholipid charge. Outlook: With the model fully developed we are now in a position to address the fundamental problems in this critical area: phase separation and electrostatically induced PIP 2 rafts, effects of cholesterol and the interaction with proteins with polybasic residues. Numerical simulations of simpler models are accurately described. The key element on coarse- graining PIP 2 is the phosphorylated moieties. This is the simplest assignment of charges able to capture the basic elements of the system. Coarse-graining of a simple phospholipid such as PS (left) and the more elaborated version necessary to describe signaling phospholipids.

2. Presidents Day event at Iowa State University Alex Travesset, Iowa State University, DMR 0748475 Goal: Develop a close relation between High Schools in Central Iowa and the Department of Physics and Astronomy, with the following goals: Provide teachers with advanced resources to teach science in the classroom. This has become a particularly relevant objective with the new statewide science curriculum standards of Teaching by Enquiry to be implemented in 2011. Educate teachers about what students need to know to succeed in college science courses. Direct contact with high school students, particularly in minority districts, and show them the opportunities and excitement of a career in sciences. Implementation: This is a five year long effort. During this first year, a permanent collaboration with high school teachers and science coordinators has been established, providing them with modern education materials and organizing events, such as the one that took place during Presidents day, which was attended by 70 teachers and illustrated new teaching tools as well as educated them in modern research. Outlook: The focus of the second year will be in practical examples of Teaching by Enquiry, as close contact with the teachers has recognized this as a pressing demand. There will be a parallel event aimed at high school students, with particular emphasis on first generation college students. 2009 Presidents day event congregated 70 teachers from Central Iowa and provided with new teaching materials.