CAREER: Transition Metal Initiators for the Synthesis of Well-Defined Polypeptides

戴明教授的研究重点是使用过渡金属络合物作为引发剂来合成定义明确的多肽。使用不同的铜、镍、钯和锌配合物聚合α-氨基酸N-羧酸酐为制备多肽提供了一种非生物替代方法，包括有望表现出与天然结构蛋白相媲美的性质的嵌段共聚聚合物。光散射、粘度计和x射线衍射以及机械测试和加工将允许对所生产的材料进行表征和评估。戴明教授将在本科生和研究生阶段介绍生物材料课程，介绍核心高分子课程，涵盖生物聚合物合成和生物材料的结构、动力学和加工。通过这一职业奖，合成有机项目支持加州大学圣巴巴拉分校材料和化学系的蒂莫西·J·戴明教授的研究和教育活动。戴明教授的研究重点是使用过渡金属络合物作为形成定义明确的多肽的引发剂，特别是针对有望模拟自然产生的结构多肽的材料，如蜘蛛丝和胶原。这些材料因其优异的物理性能、生物相容性、生物降解性和潜在的生物医学应用而引起人们的特别兴趣。戴明教授的教育活动集中于开发新的课程，该课程包括涵盖大分子科学的核心课程序列和侧重于生物材料的附加课程。除了本科生和研究生阶段的培训外，学生还将参与生物材料研究项目，为参与多学科研究提供独特的机会，并为未来有效的合作研究努力奠定基础。

Professor Deming's research focuses on the use of transition metal complexes as initiators for the synthesis of well-defined polypeptides. Polymerization of alpha-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides using various Cu, Ni, Pd and Zn complexes provides a nonbiological alternative for the preparation of polypeptides, including block co-polymers expected to display properties rivaling those of naturally occurring structural proteins. Light scattering, viscometry, and x-ray diffraction, as well as mechanical testing and processing, will permit characterization and evaluation of the materials produced. Professor Deming will introduce a biomaterials curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate levels, presenting core macromolecular courses and covering biopolymer synthesis and the structure, dynamics, and processing of biomaterials. With this CAREER award, the Synthetic Organic Program supports the research and educational activities of Professor Timothy J. Deming of the Materials and Chemistry Departments at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Professor Deming's research focuses on the use of transition metal complexes as initiators for the formation of well-defined polypeptides, specifically targeting materials which are expected to mimic naturally occurring structural polypeptides such as spider silk and collagen. These materials are of particular interest because of their excellent physical properties, biocompatability, biodegradability, and potential for biomedical applications. Professor Deming's educational activities are focused on the development of a new curriculum that consists of a core sequence of courses covering the science of large molecules and additional courses focused on biological materials. This training, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, will be complemented by student involvement in biomaterials research programs, affording a unique opportunity to participate in multidisciplinary research and laying the groundwork for effective future collaborative research efforts.