Protein Mimetics Based on Beta Amino Acids

这项研究的重点有三个方面。首先，将设计用于β-氨基酸的实用的不对称合成的方法。 第二，确定了水溶液中L+2螺旋形成的热力学。 第三，将构建在水溶液中折叠成明确的三级和四级结构的β-肽。 这些研究将代表设计具有预定形状和功能特性的各种先进聚合物的重要一步。有了这个赠款机会学术联络与工业（GOALI）奖，有机和高分子化学计划和数学和物理科学理事会的多学科活动办公室正在支持威廉·F博士的研究。宾夕法尼亚大学生物化学和生物物理系的DeGrado博士和MarkA。杜邦生命科学企业生物化学科学与工程公司的Scialdone。 该研究的目标是设计和研究折叠成独特三维结构的非生物聚合物。具体地，β-氨基酸链将被设计为在水中折叠，以不仅给出预定的二级结构，而且给出三级和四级结构。 这项工作对材料科学和制药工业感兴趣的新材料的制备具有广泛的影响。 此外，该研究为博士后研究人员提供了一个令人兴奋的培训机会，因为参与者将获得学术和工业经验。

The foci of this research are threefold. First, methods will be devised for the practical, asymmetric synthesis of beta-amino acids. Second, the thermodynamics of L+2 helix formation in aqueous solution will be determined. Third, beta-peptides that fold into well-defined tertiary and quaternary structures in aqueous solution will be constructed. These studies will represent a significant step towards design of a variety of advanced polymers with predetermined shapes and functional properties. With this Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI) award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program and the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities of the Mathematics and Physical Sciences Directorate are supporting the research of Dr. William F. DeGrado of the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Mark A. Scialdone of the Biochemical Sciences and Engineering DuPont Life Sciences Enterprise. The goal of the research is to design and study non-biological polymers that fold into unique three-dimensional structures. Specifically, chains of beta-amino acids will be designed that fold, in water, to give not only predetermined secondary structures, but also tertiary and quaternary structures. The work has broad implications for the preparation of new materials of interest to materials science and to the pharmaceutical industry. Further, the research provides an exciting training opportunity for postdoctoral researchers since the participants will gain both academic and industrial experience.