CAREER: Transition Metal Initiators for the Synthesis of Well-Defined Polypeptides

戴明教授的研究重点是利用过渡金属配合物作为引发剂合成定义明确的多肽。利用各种Cu、Ni、Pd和Zn络合物聚合α -氨基酸n -羧基氢化物，为多肽的制备提供了一种非生物替代方法，包括嵌段共聚物，有望显示出与天然结构蛋白相匹配的性能。光散射，粘度，x射线衍射，以及机械测试和加工，将允许表征和评价所生产的材料。Deming教授将在本科和研究生阶段引入生物材料课程，介绍核心大分子课程，涵盖生物聚合物合成以及生物材料的结构、动力学和加工。有了这个职业奖，合成有机项目支持加州大学圣巴巴拉分校材料和化学系的Timothy J. Deming教授的研究和教育活动。Deming教授的研究重点是利用过渡金属配合物作为形成明确定义的多肽的引发剂，特别是针对那些有望模仿自然发生的结构多肽的材料，如蜘蛛丝和胶原蛋白。这些材料因其优异的物理性能、生物相容性、生物降解性和生物医学应用潜力而受到特别关注。戴明教授的教育活动主要集中在新课程的开发上，该课程包括涵盖大分子科学的核心课程序列和以生物材料为重点的附加课程。这种培训，在本科和研究生阶段，将辅以学生参与生物材料研究项目，提供一个独特的机会，参与多学科研究和奠定基础，为有效的未来合作研究的努力。

Professor Deming's research focuses on the use of transition metal complexes as initiators for the synthesis of well-defined polypeptides. Polymerization of alpha-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides using various Cu, Ni, Pd and Zn complexes provides a nonbiological alternative for the preparation of polypeptides, including block co-polymers expected to display properties rivaling those of naturally occurring structural proteins. Light scattering, viscometry, and x-ray diffraction, as well as mechanical testing and processing, will permit characterization and evaluation of the materials produced. Professor Deming will introduce a biomaterials curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate levels, presenting core macromolecular courses and covering biopolymer synthesis and the structure, dynamics, and processing of biomaterials. With this CAREER award, the Synthetic Organic Program supports the research and educational activities of Professor Timothy J. Deming of the Materials and Chemistry Departments at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Professor Deming's research focuses on the use of transition metal complexes as initiators for the formation of well-defined polypeptides, specifically targeting materials which are expected to mimic naturally occurring structural polypeptides such as spider silk and collagen. These materials are of particular interest because of their excellent physical properties, biocompatability, biodegradability, and potential for biomedical applications. Professor Deming's educational activities are focused on the development of a new curriculum that consists of a core sequence of courses covering the science of large molecules and additional courses focused on biological materials. This training, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, will be complemented by student involvement in biomaterials research programs, affording a unique opportunity to participate in multidisciplinary research and laying the groundwork for effective future collaborative research efforts.