Segregation in Multicomponent Macromolecular Systems

该奖项支持理论研究，这些研究将分析各种环境中自缔合的中性和带电大分子的统计和热力学。特别是，我们将确定具有特定位置相互作用的大分子的溶液的结构和相图，例如具有缔合端基的多相聚合物和多肽两亲性分子。具有缔合端基的多相分子形成胶束和/或簇。当它们的浓度增加时，团簇在整个系统中扩展，导致凝胶状结构。这些凝胶的物理性质将作为缔合基团的官能度和分子的排除体积的函数进行分析。我们还将分析聚合物主链上的电荷和环境中的盐对具有强烈位置吸引的带电链溶液热力学的影响。多肽两亲性分子与柱状胶束的结合将作为多肽的浓度和电荷的函数进行分析。我们将在自缔合模型中包括氢键，并将其对胶束结构的影响与偶极垂直于骨架的多肽进行比较。相反电荷的多肽两亲性混合物也将被分析为具有特定表面结构的圆柱形胶束的候选者，这一奖项将支持分析统计数据和多肽的理论研究。研究目标是产生新的模型，以指导涉及非均相大分子和多组分溶液的新材料的合成和制备。这些系统能够在大量非凡的结构中自组织。我们的结果将有助于各种实验系统的设计，包括具有可控粘附性的非水热可逆凝胶，以及用于药物输送的水热可逆凝胶。另一方面，我们对强相互作用非均相大分子的电荷效应的研究，对于理解许多生物系统的自组织具有重要意义。生物分子具有多种令人惊叹的功能，对其复杂结构和执行特定任务的效率之间的关系的了解，为创造用于创新应用的新分子打开了可能性。此外，我们对多肽两亲性的研究是出于为重大医学应用创造新材料的需要，包括神经修复。我们特别感兴趣的是了解不同的特定相互作用是如何影响最终的自组织材料的性质的，这些相互作用受合成和环境的控制。教育目标将培养出能够为社会解决具有挑战性和相关问题的科学家。这个团队保持了性别和种族的良好平衡，为新一代科学家做好了准备。该组织参加当地高中阶段的教育项目。该小组还与墨西哥和法国的科学家互动。%该奖项支持理论研究，这些研究将分析各种环境中自缔合的中性和带电大分子的统计和热力学。特别是，我们将确定具有特定位置相互作用的大分子的溶液的结构和相图，例如具有缔合端基的多相聚合物和多肽两亲性分子。对这些大分子溶液的研究将导致新材料的设计。它还将使人们更好地了解生物材料，在药物输送、生物粘连和神经修复方面具有潜在的应用。教育目标将培养出能够为社会解决具有挑战性和相关问题的科学家。这个团队保持了性别和种族的良好平衡，为新一代科学家做好了准备。该组织参加当地高中阶段的教育项目。该组织还与墨西哥和法国的科学家进行互动。

This award supports theoretical research that will analyze the statistics andthermodynamics of self-associating neutral and charged macromolecules in various environments. In particular, we will determine the structure and phase diagram of solutions of macromolecules with site-specific interactions such as heterogeneous polymers with associating end groups and peptide amphiphile molecules. Heterogeneous molecules with associating end groups form micelles and/or clusters. When their concentration increases the clusters expand over the whole system leading to gel-like structures. The physical properties of these gels will be analyzed as a function of the functionality of the associating groups and the excluded volume of the molecules. We will also analyze the effect of charge on the polymer backbone and of the salt in the environment on the thermodynamics of charged chain solutions with strong site-specific attractions. The association of peptide amphiphile molecules into cylindrical micelles will be analyzed as a function of the concentration and charge of the peptide. We will include hydrogen bonding in the self-associating model and compare its effect on the micelle structure to peptides with dipoles perpendicular to the backbones. Mixtures of peptides amphiphiles of opposite charge will also be analyzed as candidates for cylindrical micelles with specific surface structures driven by the segregation of the This award supports theoretical research that will analyze the statistics and peptides.Research goals are to generate new models to guide the synthesis and fabrication of new materials involving heterogeneous macromolecules and multicomponent solutions. These systems are capable of self-organizing in a large number of remarkable structures. Our results will aid the design of various experimental systems including non-aqueous thermoreversible gels with controllable adhesive properties, and aqueous thermoreversible gels for drug delivery. Our studies on charge effects on strongly interacting heterogeneous macromolecules, on the other hand, are highly relevant to the understanding of the self-organization of many biological systems. Biological molecules fulfill a wide variety of amazing functions, and the understanding of the relation between their complex structure and their efficiency in performing specific tasks opens the possibility of creating new molecules for innovative applications. Moreover, our studies on peptide amphiphile are motivated by the need of creating new materials for significant medical applications, including nerve repair. We are particularly interested in understanding how different specific interactions, controlled by the synthesis and the environment, influence the properties of the final self-organized material.Educational goals will generate scientists capable of solving challenging and relevant problems for society. A well-balanced gender and ethnicity is kept in the group to prepare for a new generation of scientists. The group participates in local educational programs at the high school level. The group also interacts with scientists in Mexico and France.%%% This award supports theoretical research that will analyze the statistics and thermodynamics of self-associating neutral and charged macromolecules in various environments. In particular, we will determine the structure and phase diagram of solutions of macromolecules with site-specific interactions such as heterogeneous polymers with associating end groups and peptide amphiphile molecules. The study of these macromolecular solutions will lead to the design of new materials. It will also lead to a better understanding of biological materials, with potential applications in drug delivery, bio-adhesion and nerve repair.Educational goals will generate scientists capable of solving challenging and relevant problems for society. A well-balanced gender and ethnicity is kept in the group to prepare for a new generation of scientists. The group participates in local educational programs at the high school level. The group also interacts with scientists in Mexico and France.***