Synthesis of Novel Materials Utilizing Sialic Acid Derivatives as Peptide Equivalents

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The focus of this research is threefold. First, methods will be developed for the preparation of a new class of materials derived from condensation of amino acids with both carboxy and amino termini of polymeric sialic acid oligomers. Second, solid support methods will be developed for the preparation of a new class of materials utilizing sialic acid as peptide equivalents. Third, the solution phase conformation of these materials will be examined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and molecular modeling. Educational activities involve a program in chemical education directed to developing discovery based learning methods in organic chemistry. With this CAREER award, the Synthetic Organic Program supports the research and educational activities of Dr. Jacqueline Gervay of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Arizona. Professor Gervay will focus her research efforts on developing synthetic routes to novel materials that will selectively replace important biological recognition processes. The synthetic targets include sialic acid based oligomeric compounds that will disrupt protein-protein interactions involving both helical and electrostatic interactions. Dr. Gervay's educational activities involve a program in chemical education directed to developing discovery based learning methods in organic chemistry.