Myer Bloom, Professor

B.Sc., McGill (49); M.Sc., McGill (50);
Ph.D., Illinois (54); Postdoct., Leyden (54-56)
A.P. Sloan Found. Fellow (61-66)
J.S. Guggenheim Fellow, Harvard &
Kyoto (64-65); Steacie Prize (1968)
Jacob Biely Prize (69); Visiting Scientist,
Orsay (71-72; 78-79); CAP Gold Medal (73)
Izaak Walton Killam Scholar (78-80)
Visiting Scientist, Sydney, Paris & Rome (85-86)
FRSC, CIAR Fellow, Science Council of BC
Chairman's Award for Career Achievement (1992)

Research Interests

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is uniquely suited to study molecular level structural and dynamical properties of matter. Our current focus is on systems of biological interest, especially membranes; much of this is in collaboration with biologists, biophysicists and chemists. Collaborators at UBC include Professors Burnell (Chemistry), Cullis (Biochemistry), Evans (Pathology & Physics), Kitson (Dermatology) and MacKay (Radiology & Physics).

Recently we began a program on Soft Surfaces and Interfaces, with the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. We also work with the theory groups of Prof. Mouritsen, Technical Univ. of Denmark, and the experimental biophysics group of Prof.Sackmann,TechnicalUniv.ofMunich.

Our research has produced new NMR spectroscopic methods such as Fourier-transform quadrupolar-echo deuterium (2H) NMR and the de-Pakeing method now used in most laboratories employing 2H NMR spectroscopy.

Current (1993) activities include:

theoretical and experimental aspects of lipid-protein interactions role of cholesterol in the evolution of the physical properties of membranes
relationship between molecular and macroscopic properties of membranes, with an emphasis on the peculiar mechanical manifestations of the ultrasoftness associated with membrane fluidity special physical properties of skin
relationships between membrane structure and medical problems such as cancer and multiple sclerosis

In addition, we continue to work on the physics of nuclear spin systems and on development of new NMR techniques.

Selected Publications

"Physical properties of the fluid-bilayer component of cell membranes: a perspective", Q. Rev. Biophys. 24, 293-397 (1991), M. Bloom, E. Evans and O.G. Mouritsen".

"Spin echoes and the Dynamic Properties of Membranes", In: Pulsed Magnetic Resonance: NMR, ESR and Optics - a recognition of E.L. Hahn, pp. 274-316, Edited by D.M.S. Bagguley (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1992), M. Bloom, C. Morrison, E. Sternin and J. Thewalt.

"The physics of soft natural materials, Physics in Canada 48, 7-16 (1992), M. Bloom.

"Models of lipid-protein interactions in membranes", Annu. Rev. Biophys. Biomol. Struct. 22, 145-171 (1993), O.G. Mouritsen and M. Bloom.

"Combined influence of cholesterol and synthetic and amphiphilic polypeptides upon bilayer thickness in model membranes", Biophysical J., 61, 1176-1183 (1992), F.A. Nezil and M. Bloom.