CAREER: Self-Assembling Dendrimers: Functional Architectures that Bridge Chemistry and Biology

在有机和大分子化学项目的CAREER奖的支持下，亚利桑那大学化学系的Indraneel Ghosh教授将进行与合成和表征新型对称支链分子相关的基础研究，这些分子由螺旋肽基序作为组织元素组成。自组装树状分子的化学结构将被设计成模块化和灵活的，允许从纳米到微米长度尺度的多价和多价组装的物理化学研究。这些对称分子在回答层次自组装的基本问题的同时，将导致多价蛋白复合物和先进生物材料的合理设计。因此，这项工作将影响新兴技术，如多价靶向、控释、组织工程和催化剂支持。广泛的研究平台将在不断发展的化学/生物界面为研究生和本科生提供必要的研究技能和科学知识的发展。研究和教育将进一步整合到一个暑期研究项目中，以培训和指导代表性不足的高中生。因此，本职业建议中描述的研究和教育目标将为所有教育水平的熟练科学家提供培训，同时为他们提供必要的指导，使他们在未来的职业生涯中取得成功。

With the support of this CAREER Award from the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program, Professor Indraneel Ghosh, of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Arizona, will carry out fundamental studies related to the synthesis and characterization of new classes of symmetrically branched molecules composed of helical peptide motifs as an organizing element. The chemical architecture of the self-assembling dendrimer-like molecules will be designed to be modular and flexible allowing for the physiochemical investigation of both multivalent and polyvalent assemblies from the nanometer to micrometer length scales. These symmetric molecules, while answering fundamental questions in hierarchical self-assembly, will lead to the rational design of multivalent protein complexes and advanced biomaterials. Thus, this work will impact emerging technologies such as multivalent targeting, controlled release, tissue engineering and catalyst supports.The broad research platform will result in the development of necessary research skills and scientific knowledge for graduate students and undergraduate students at the continuously evolving chemistry/biology interface. Research and education will be further integrated in a summer research program for training and mentoring under-represented high-school students. Thus, the research and educational goals described in this CAREER proposal will provide for the training of skilled scientists at all educational levels, while providing them with the necessary mentorship to be successful in their future professional careers.