Design of Functionalized Collagen Peptide Supramolecular Assemblies

在化学系大分子，超分子和纳米化学项目的支持下，普渡大学的Jean Chmielewski教授进行了研究，以清楚地了解胶原蛋白肽组装成微观结构的机制，以及在这些微观结构中包含功能所需的特征。 本研究的最终目标是开发新的方法来合理控制胶原肽的分级组装成具有所需功能的微结构。 超分子组装体的大小和形状将通过适当定位在胶原三螺旋内的组装信号和配体控制来操纵，以产生具有用于生物技术应用的改进性质的新型材料。 超分子组装体内的残余配体和内腔将被利用来为微结构增加成像功能。 使用胶原蛋白三螺旋肽作为微尺度材料的构建块是非常令人回味的，并且对社会和许多科学领域具有广泛的影响。从长远来看，开发的材料可能用于体内药物输送和成像，或在组织工程中有应用。这些研究也将对研究生和本科生的培养产生广泛的影响，拟议中的K-4互动将有助于激发下一代学生对科学和数学的欣赏。这项工作中对发现和教育的重视对于充分利用这一领域的研究成果至关重要。

Under the support of the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Jean Chmielewski of Purdue University conducts research to gain a clear understanding of the assembly mechanisms of collagen-peptides into microstructures and the features necessary for inclusion of functionality within these microstructures. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop novel approaches to the rational control of hierarchical assembly of collagen peptides into microstructures with desired functionality. The size and shape of the supramolecular assemblies will be manipulated with assembly signals appropriately positioned within collagen triple helices and through ligand control to generate novel materials with improved properties for biotechnology applications. The residual ligands and interior cavities within the supramolecular assemblies will be harnessed to add imaging functionality to the microstructures. The use of collagen triple helical peptides as building blocks for microscale materials is highly evocative and has broad implications for society and many areas of science. In the long term the materials developed may be useful for in vivo drug delivery and imaging, or have applications in tissue engineering. These studies will also have a broad impact on graduate student and undergraduate training, and the proposed K-4 interactions will help to inspire the next generation of students in their appreciation of science and math. The emphasis on discovery and education in this work is essential to reap the full benefits of research in this field.