Biomimetic Conformational Motifs for Practical Molecular Recognition

Cammers-Goodwin教授的研究主要集中在分子模块化的两个仿生主题上。在一个项目中，提出了基于手性折叠体的分子识别的发展，另一个项目提出了在病毒体的结构和功能的模拟中探索分子封装。本文计划合成手性寡脲并研究其溶液相构象。将研究所提出的寡脲的螺旋构象之间的结合现象。寡脲的螺旋构象将产生亲水性内部和疏水性外部分子表面积，当寡脲被包括在疏水膜中和聚合物固体支持物上以抑制信号时，这将是有用的。这些螺旋大分子构象将具有质子和/或带电的内部空腔和基于烃的外部。这类分子结构可用于化学传感器或手性分离，分子基序将用于组装病毒样体，以模拟真实的病毒的结构和功能。在天然病毒颗粒的结构和功能模拟中寻求阴离子物质的包封。也许病毒组装的结构模拟将导致药物输送到细胞而没有病毒致病反应。有机和大分子化学计划支持肯塔基州大学化学系的亚瑟卡默斯-古德温教授的研究。Cammers-Goodwin教授的研究涉及生物分子之间相互作用的性质。Cammers-Goodwin教授的教育活动包括指导学生和教授一门名为计算分子设计的新课程。

Professor Cammers-Goodwin's research focuses on two biomimetic themes in molecular modularity. In one project the development of chiral foldamer-based molecular recognition is proposed and the other proposes the exploration of molecular encapsulation in the mimicry of the structure and function of viral bodies. The synthesis and study of solution-phase conformations of chiral oligoureas is planned. The binding phenomena between helical conformations of the proposed oligoureas will be studied. The helical conformations of the oligoureas will create hydrophilic internal and hydrophobic external molecular surface area, which will be useful when the oligoureas are included in hydrophobic membranes and on polymeric solid supports to transduce signal. These helical macromolecular conformers will possess protic and/or charged internal cavities and hydrocarbon-based exteriors. Molecular architecture of this sort may find use in chemical sensors or in chiral separations.Molecular motifs will be used to assemble viral-like bodies to mimic both the structure and function of real viruses. Encapsulation of anionic species is sought in the structural and functional mimicry of natural viral particles. Perhaps structural mimicry of viral assemblies will lead to drug delivery to cells without the viral pathogenic response.The Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program supports the research of Professor Arthur Cammers-Goodwin of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Kentucky. Professor Cammers-Goodwin's research addresses the nature of the interaction between biological molecules. Professor Cammers-Goodwin's educational activities include mentoring students and teaching a new course entitled Computational Molecular design.