Protein Mimetics Based on Beta Amino Acids

本研究的重点有三个方面。首先，将设计实用的不对称合成-氨基酸的方法。其次，确定水溶液中L+2螺旋形成的热力学。第三，在水溶液中折叠成明确的三级和四级结构的β肽将被构建。这些研究将代表着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。有机和大分子化学项目以及数学和物理科学理事会的多学科活动办公室，通过这项与工业界学术联络机会（GOALI）奖，支持宾夕法尼亚大学生物化学和生物物理系的William F.降解博士和杜邦生命科学企业生物化学科学与工程的Mark A. Scialdone博士的研究。这项研究的目标是设计和研究可折叠成独特三维结构的非生物聚合物。具体来说，β -氨基酸链将被设计成在水中折叠，不仅可以形成预定的二级结构，还可以形成三级和四级结构。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意义。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行业经验。

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.