Nanocapsules

通过利用超分子化学的原理，大自然已经掌握了在各种规模上形成非常复杂的分子胶囊的能力。 这项研究的重点是了解分子胶囊在所有长度尺度上构建的原理。 这些目标包括：（1）合成用于胶囊的新构件;（2）将功能性工程化到这样的胶囊中;（3）将长度尺度从纳米级扩展到微米级;以及（4）理解球体（胶囊）与管的结构关系。 这些努力的成功将为纳米粒子在药物输送和催化方面的应用提供支持。 有了这个奖项，有机和高分子化学计划支持密苏里州-哥伦比亚大学的杰里·阿特伍德教授，他的研究将增加我们对较大胶囊组装原理的理解，这些胶囊可以提供对生命系统各个方面的洞察。 预计最直接的影响将出现在药物供应领域。 如果药物可以通过具有更高位点特异性的纳米胶囊递送，甚至有效治疗所需的药物量也可以大大减少。本研究有望在分子胶囊的选择性受体结合和药物释放方面取得重大进展。本科生、研究生和博士后研究人员在从事本研究的同时将获得良好的教育和综合培训。这项工作将推动纳米纤维、绿色化学和有机材料等相关领域的科学发展。

By exploiting the principles of supramolecular chemistry, nature has mastered the ability to form remarkably complex molecular capsules on a widely varied scale. This research is focused on understanding the principles upon which molecular capsules are constructed at all length scales. The objectives include: (1) the synthesis of new building blocks for capsules; (2) the engineering of functionality into such capsules; (3) the extension of length scales from the nano- to the micro-level; and (4) the understanding of the structural relationship of spheres (capsules) to tubes. Success in these endeavors will afford nanocpasules for applications in drug delivery and catalysis. .With this award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program supports Professor Jerry Atwood of the University of Missouri- Columbia whose research will increase our understanding of the principles governing the assembly of larger capsules that could provide insight into aspects of living systems. The most immediate impact is expected in the area of drug delivery. If drugs could be delivered by a nanocapsule with higher site specificity, even the amount of the drug needed for effective treatment may be greatly reduced. This research is expected to achieve major advances toward selective receptor binding of molecular capsules followed by drug release.Undergraduate, graduate students and post-doctoral researchers will receive excellent educational and synthetic training while pursuing the research proposed here. The work will advance science in the related areas of nanofabrication, green chemistry and organic materials.