Genetically Directed Syntheses of New Polymeric Materials

逐步和链增长聚合过程的统计性质确保了此类反应的产物必须是非均相的。 因此，常规的p9聚合物材料由链的复杂混合物组成，通常以链长、序列和立体化学的宽分布为特征。 在许多材料应用中，这种分子异质性是可接受的，并且在一些应用中，其是有利的，因为其可以抑制结晶并保持期望的性质，例如光学透明度、弹性或易于加工。 另一方面，合成技术的发展，如齐格勒-纳塔催化和活性聚合，对高分子科学和技术产生了深远的影响。在过去的十年中，包括PI在内的几个实验室已经利用细菌细胞的蛋白质生物合成装置的能力来制造新的高分子材料，其特征在于基本上完全控制分子结构。 这种方法最重要的优点似乎在于两个方面：i）。在材料特性与生物功能的整合中，以及ii）。在小尺度结构（有时称为纳米结构）的设计和制造中，分子结构的均匀性至关重要。 该提案解决了后一个目标，特别关注含有与聚（g-苄基a，L-谷氨酸盐）（PBLG）相关的单分散大分子棒的系统的组装行为。 这项研究由材料研究部的聚合物计划和分子和细胞生物科学部的分子生物化学计划共同资助。

The statistical nature of step and chain growth polymerization processes ensures that the products of such reactions must be heterogeneous. Conventional p9olymeric materials therefore consist of complex mixtures of chains, often characterized by broad distributions of chain length, sequence and stereochemistry. In many materials applications, this kind of molecular heterogeneity is acceptable, and in some applications it is advantageous, insofar as it may suppress crystallization and preserve desirable properties such as optical clarity, elasticity or ease of processing. On the other hand, synthetic developments that have afforded improved control of macromolecular architecture, such as Ziegler-Natta catalysis and living polymerization, have had profound impact on polymer science and technology.%%%Over the past decade, several laboratories - including the PI's - have exploited the capacity of the protein biosynthetic apparatus of bacterial cells to make new macromolecular materials characterized by essentially complete control of molecular architecture. The most important advantages of this method appear to lie in two areas: i). In the integration of material properties with biological function, and ii). In the design and fabrication of small-scale structures (sometimes called nanostructures), in which uniformity of molecular architecture is critical. This proposal addresses the latter objective, with a specific focus on the assembly behavior of systems containing monodisperse macromolecular rods related to poly (g-benzyl a,L-glutamate) (PBLG). This research is co-funded by the Polymers Program in the Division of Materials Research and the Molecular Biochemistry Program in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences.***