CAREER: Supramolecular Light-Harvesting Materials from Self-Assembly of Bio-Inspired Macromolecules

ID: MPS/DMR/BMAT(7623) 1149067 PI: Horne， William ORG: University of pittsburgh标题：职业：从生物启发大分子自组装的超分子光收集材料知识价值：化学物种的设计，模仿参与光合作用的蛋白质进行的功能是材料科学的前沿挑战。这一挑战的基础是需要在10-100纳米尺度上创建定义的分子实体，以亚纳米的空间精度精确定位官能团阵列。目前对一种设计范式的需求尚未得到满足，这种设计范式将(1)共价键对键化学合成提供的完整结构控制与(2)非共价自组装可实现的效率和大型结构相结合。该项目的总体目标是开发一个基于蛋白质基构建块在水溶液中自组装的具有可调性能的超分子生物材料的构建平台。将用于指导单体自组装的蛋白质折叠基序是α螺旋线圈。先前对序列与折叠模式之间关系的研究使人们对盘绕蛋白设计的基本原理有了深入的了解。这个丰富的知识库将被用来创建一个自组装形成定义的一维线性阵列或二维网络的亚单位家族。这些材料将用于制备光收集发色团阵列，模仿天然光合蛋白的天线功能。在本研究过程中阐明的基本原则将成为设计和构建基于蛋白质的超分子组件的一般策略的基础。此外，光收集材料将为生物天线阵列中能量离域的研究和模拟提供一个模型系统。更广泛的影响：本项目所处理的问题具有重要的社会意义。开发可持续供应的清洁能源是21世纪人类面临的最重大的科学挑战之一。这项艰巨的任务没有简单的技术解决方案；然而，提出的研究旨在帮助定义这种技术所依赖的物理化学原理。光收集材料的开发是该项目的最终目标，将提高对自然界光合能量转导的理解，以及用设计的化学物质有效模拟光合蛋白的要求。跨学科的研究项目将为不同层次、不同教育背景的学生提供肥沃的训练场地。一个教育和推广计划包括，旨在吸引研究活跃的本科生的课程，旨在教授科学成果的有效口头交流。该课程将通过有组织的机会为入学学生提供外联，向同龄人以及当地社区的高中生展示他们的作品。该计划将(1)通过解决现有课程中未满足的需求，提高匹兹堡大学STEM本科生的竞争力；(2)通过使参与的学生成为追求本科科学研究机会的近同龄人榜样，吸引潜在的未来STEM专业学生，包括代表性不足的少数民族。

ID: MPS/DMR/BMAT(7623) 1149067 PI: Horne, William ORG: University of PIttsburghTitle: CAREER: Supramolecular Light-Harvesting Materials from Self-Assembly of Bio-Inspired MacromoleculesINTELLECTUAL MERIT: The design of chemical species that mimic functions carried out by proteins involved in photosynthesis is a frontier challenge in materials science. Underlying this challenge is the requirement to create defined molecular entities on the 10-100 nm size scale that accurately position arrays of functional groups with sub-nm spatial precision. There is an unmet need for a design paradigm that combines (1) the complete structural control offered covalent bond-by-bond chemical synthesis with (2) the efficiency and large structures achievable by non-covalent self-assembly. The overall objective of this project is to develop a platform for the construction of supramolecular biomaterials with tunable properties based on the self-assembly of protein-based building blocks in aqueous solution. The protein-folding motif that will be used to direct monomer self-assembly is the alpha-helical coiled coil. Prior studies on the relationship between sequence and folding pattern have led to a thorough understanding of the basic principles for the design of coiled-coil proteins. This rich knowledge base will be exploited to create a family of subunits that self-assemble to form defined 1-dimensional linear arrays or 2-dimensional networks. These materials will be applied in the preparation of light-harvesting chromophore arrays that mimic the antenna function of natural photosynthetic proteins. The fundamental principles elucidated in the course of this research will be the foundation of a general strategy for the design and construction of protein-based supramolecular assemblies. Moreover, the light-harvesting materials will provide a model system for the study and mimicry of energy delocalization in biological antenna arrays.BROADER IMPACTS: The problem addressed in this project has important societal implications. The development of a sustainable supply of clean energy is one of the most significant scientific challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. There is no simple technological solution to this daunting task; however, the research proposed seeks to help define physicochemical principles upon which such technology will rely. Development of the light-harvesting materials that are the ultimate goal of this project will improve understanding of photosynthetic energy transduction in nature and the requirements to effectively mimic photosynthetic proteins with designed chemical species. The interdisciplinary research program will provide a fertile training ground for students at multiple levels and from diverse educational backgrounds. An education and outreach plan is included that aims to engage research-active undergraduates with a class aimed at teaching the effective oral communication of scientific results. The course will foster outreach through organized opportunities for enrolled students to present their work to peers as well as to high-school students from the local community. The proposed program will (1) enhance the competitiveness of STEM undergraduates at the University of Pittsburgh by addressing an unmet need in the existing curriculum and (2) engage potential future STEM majors, including underrepresented minorities, by enabling participating students to act as near-peer role models for opportunities to pursue undergraduate scientific research.