Design of Functionalized Collagen Peptide Supramolecular Assemblies

在化学学部的大分子、超分子和纳米化学项目的支持下，普渡大学的Jean Chmielewski教授进行了研究，以清楚地了解胶原肽在微观结构中的组装机制以及在这些微观结构中包含功能所需的特征。本研究的最终目标是开发新的方法来合理控制胶原肽的分层组装成具有所需功能的微结构。超分子组装体的大小和形状将通过在胶原蛋白三螺旋中适当定位的组装信号和配体控制来控制，从而产生具有改进性能的新材料，用于生物技术应用。残馀配体和内部腔在超分子组件将被利用，以增加成像功能的微结构。使用胶原蛋白三螺旋肽作为微尺度材料的构建块是高度唤起的，并对社会和许多科学领域具有广泛的影响。从长远来看，所开发的材料可能对体内药物输送和成像有用，或者在组织工程中有应用。这些研究也将对研究生和本科生的培养产生广泛的影响，而拟议的K-4互动将有助于激发下一代学生对科学和数学的欣赏。在这项工作中强调发现和教育对于获得该领域研究的全部好处是必不可少的。

Under the support of the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Jean Chmielewski of Purdue University conducts research to gain a clear understanding of the assembly mechanisms of collagen-peptides into microstructures and the features necessary for inclusion of functionality within these microstructures. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop novel approaches to the rational control of hierarchical assembly of collagen peptides into microstructures with desired functionality. The size and shape of the supramolecular assemblies will be manipulated with assembly signals appropriately positioned within collagen triple helices and through ligand control to generate novel materials with improved properties for biotechnology applications. The residual ligands and interior cavities within the supramolecular assemblies will be harnessed to add imaging functionality to the microstructures. The use of collagen triple helical peptides as building blocks for microscale materials is highly evocative and has broad implications for society and many areas of science. In the long term the materials developed may be useful for in vivo drug delivery and imaging, or have applications in tissue engineering. These studies will also have a broad impact on graduate student and undergraduate training, and the proposed K-4 interactions will help to inspire the next generation of students in their appreciation of science and math. The emphasis on discovery and education in this work is essential to reap the full benefits of research in this field.