Presidential Young Investigator Award/Non-Covalent Interactions of Organic Molecules

在有机动力学项目的支持下，盖尔曼博士将研究有机分子中的非共价相互作用。特别是，盖尔曼博士将：(I)研究合成受体对碳水化合物的分子识别；(Ii)通过研究氢键和疏水效应，对蛋白质折叠模式的非共价决定因素进行模型研究；(Iii)研究两亲性分子的合成并研究其化学的某些方面，以及(Iv)开发新型硫醚类重金属离子螯合剂。盖尔曼博士的研究计划试图阐明吸引人的非键相互作用在决定生物分子的结构和功能中的作用。生物分子中这种类型的一种特别重要的相互作用由氢键提供。作为整体研究计划的一部分，盖尔曼博士正在研究键合伙伴的空间取向对整体氢键强度的影响。在另一项工作中，盖尔曼博士正在研究一类新的分子，这种分子可以根据周围介质的极性来调整其表面的极性。这类分子作为药物递送剂具有潜在的价值。

With support from the Organic Dynamics Program, Dr. Gellman will study noncovalent interactions in organic molecules. In particular, Dr. Gellman will: (i) investigate molecular recognition of carbohydrates by synthetic receptors, (ii) perform model studies on the non-covalent determinants of protein folding patterns via investigation of hydrogen bonding and the hydrophobic effect, (iii) pursue the synthesis of amphiphilic molecules and study some aspects of their chemistry, and (iv) develop new thioether-based heavy metal ion chelators. %%% Dr. Gellman's research program seeks to elucidate the role of attractive non-bonded interactions in determining the structure and function of biomolecules. A particularly important interaction of this type in biomolecules is provided by hydrogen bonding. As part of his overall research program, Dr. Gellman is studying the effects of spatial orientation of bonding partners on overall hydrogen bond strength. In other work, Dr. Gellman is investigating a new class of molecules that can adjust their surface polarity in response to the polarity of the surrounding medium. Such molecules are of potential interest as drug-delivery agents.