Molecular gels comprised of cyclic peptides

我们的长期研究目标是定量和定性地了解分子和超分子结构之间的关系，以及自组装低分子量有机凝胶剂(LMWG)(即凝胶剂的化合物)的宏观性质。不幸的是，研究人员面临着缺乏关于分子凝胶中自组装所需的分子特征和相互作用的基本知识和先验工具，导致研究人员依赖于偶然发现而不是合理的设计来发现新的凝胶剂类别。因此，当潜在的新凝胶剂被偶然发现时，研究界迫切希望了解它们在凝胶化过程中进化的机制。在试图生长环肽单晶的过程中，Prairie Tide化学公司发现，令他们非常沮丧的是，在极低浓度的环肽下，溶剂被凝胶化。我们的研究相当于 简单地说，我们不仅试图了解它们形成过程中涉及的过程，而且还试图利用这项技术，希望创造出新的和令人兴奋的材料。PI渴望获得对自组装纤维网络的基本理解，这启发了这种自下而上的方法来解决基本问题-是什么驱动了一些分子形成分子凝胶？自组装的低分子有机凝胶剂正在成为脂肪晶体网络的一种更可行的替代方案，用于构建脂肪食品、化妆品和药品的结构。此外，它们的组装机制与许多影响健康的重要生物组装是同义的，包括：Pron蛋白质聚集和淀粉样斑块。 队形。从这项计划中获得的基本知识将转化为纳米结构控制输送系统的制药、化妆品和石油领域。这项研究直接惠及加拿大消费者以及食品和制药行业。在纳米技术领域使用的有机凝胶、自组装和先进仪器的广泛基础知识将为HQP在学术界、政府或行业的职业生涯做好准备。

Our long-term research objective is to develop a quantitative and qualitative understanding of the relationship between molecular and supramolecular structures and the macroscopic properties of self-assembled low molecular weight organogelators (LMWG) (i.e., compounds which gel apolar solvents). Unfortunately, researchers are faced with a lack of fundamental knowledge and a priori tools pertaining to the molecular characteristics and interactions required for self-assembly in molecular gels causing researchers to rely on serendipity rather than rational design to discover new classes of gelators. As such, when potentially new gelators are stumbled upon, the research community is eager to understand the mechanisms evolved in their gelation. During an attempt to grow single crystals of a cyclic peptide, Prairie Tide Chemical found, much to their dismay, the solvent was being gelled at very low concentrations of their peptide. Our research is rather simple in that we attempt to not only understand the processes involved in their formation but also to harness this technology in hopes of creating new and exciting materials. The PI's desire to attain a fundamental understanding of self-assembled fibrillar networks has inspired this bottom-up approach to the basic question-what drives some molecules to form molecular gels? Self-assembled low molecular weight organogelators are becoming a more feasible alternative to fat crystal networks to structure lipid food products, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, their mechanism of assembly is synonymous to numerous important biological assemblies that influence health including: prion protein aggregation and amyloid plaque formation. Fundamental knowledge gained from this program will be transitioned into the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and petroleum areas for nano-structured controlled delivery systems. This research directly benefits Canadian consumers along with food and pharmaceutical industries. Extensive fundamental knowledge of organogels, self assembly and advanced instruments used in the field of nano-technology will prepare HQP for careers in academia, government or industry.