Recognition-Controlled Polymer Self-Assembly

有机和大分子化学项目支持马萨诸塞大学阿默斯特分校的Vincent M. Rotello教授，他在大分子系统的识别介导组装方面的工作将为纳米和微观结构的自下而上组装提供独特的能力。当前研究计划的一个中心主题是将随机替代的互补系统组装成有组织的整体。这种自组装模式与在DNA和蛋白质结构中观察到的程序化相互作用有很大的不同。同样，它与简单的自组装系统在特异性和平衡特定有利相互作用与相分离行为的能力方面都有所不同。这种水平的控制为聚合物自组装提供了一条新的（但鲜为人知的）途径。在早期资助的初步研究中，Rotello教授已经证明，具有互补功能的随机系统可以产生具有高阶结构的系统。在这些研究中，证明了前所未有的随机共聚物自组装成巨大的囊泡。在未来的研究中，将对这些识别诱导聚合体（RIPs）的结构和性质进行探讨。Rotello教授还将把自组装研究扩展到嵌段共聚物，并探索具有规则基团间距的识别元素功能化交替共聚物的合成和性能。有机和大分子化学项目支持Vincent M. Rotello教授，他的研究将为自组装聚合物微观结构的创建提供路线图。这种洞察力将增强创建诸如输送装置和微反应器等多种实用系统的能力。此外，该计划是高度多学科，从化学，材料科学和物理领域的工具和技术为特色。从事这项研究的研究生和本科生将获得对这些不同方法的综合理解，为他们未来的职业生涯提供有力的工具。

The Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program supports Professor Vincent M. Rotello at the University Massachusetts- Amherst whose work on the recognition-mediated assembly of macromolecular systems will provide unique capabilities for the bottom-up assembly of nano- and microstructures. One central theme of the current research program is the assembly of randomly substituted complementary systems into organized ensembles. This mode of self-assembly differs dramatically from the programmed interactions observed in DNA and protein structure. It likewise differs from simpler self-assembled systems both in terms of specificity and in the ability to balance specific favorable interactions with phase separation behavior. This level of control provides a new (but little understood) route to polymer self-assembly. In preliminary research funded earlier, Professor Rotello has shown that random systems featuring complementary functionality can produce systems featuring higher-order structures. In these studies, the unprecedented self-assembly of random copolymers into giant vesicles was demonstrated. In future studies, the structure and properties of these Recognition-Induced Polymersomes (RIPs) will be probed. Professor Rotello will also extend self-assembly studies to block copolymers, and explore the synthesis and properties of recognition element-functionalized alternating copolymers that feature regular intergroup spacing.The Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program supports Professor Vincent M. Rotello whose research will provide a roadmap for the creation of self-assembled polymer microstructures. This insight will enhance the ability to create such diverse pragmatic systems as delivery devices and micro reactors. Moreover, the program is highly multidisciplinary, featuring tools and techniques from the fields of chemistry, materials science and physics. The graduate and undergraduate students working on this research will gain an integrated understanding of these diverse methodologies, providing them with powerful tools for their future careers.