Molecular gels comprised of cyclic peptides

我们的长期研究目标是对分子和超分子结构之间的关系以及自组装低分子量有机凝胶（即与极性溶剂凝胶的化合物）的宏观性质进行定量和定性的理解。不幸的是，研究人员面临着缺乏基本知识和先验工具，这些知识和工具与分子凝胶中自组装所需的分子特征和相互作用有关，导致研究人员依靠意外发现而不是理性设计来发现新的凝胶类。因此，当潜在的新凝胶被偶然发现时，研究界渴望了解它们凝胶化的机制。在试图培养一种环状肽单晶的过程中，Prairie Tide化学公司发现，令他们非常沮丧的是，溶剂在非常低浓度的情况下被凝胶化。我们的研究

Our long-term research objective is to develop a quantitative and qualitative understanding of the relationship between molecular and supramolecular structures and the macroscopic properties of self-assembled low molecular weight organogelators (LMWG) (i.e., compounds which gel apolar solvents). Unfortunately, researchers are faced with a lack of fundamental knowledge and a priori tools pertaining to the molecular characteristics and interactions required for self-assembly in molecular gels causing researchers to rely on serendipity rather than rational design to discover new classes of gelators. As such, when potentially new gelators are stumbled upon, the research community is eager to understand the mechanisms evolved in their gelation. During an attempt to grow single crystals of a cyclic peptide, Prairie Tide Chemical found, much to their dismay, the solvent was being gelled at very low concentrations of their peptide. Our research is rather simple in that we attempt to not only understand the processes involved in their formation but also to harness this technology in hopes of creating new and exciting materials. The PI's desire to attain a fundamental understanding of self-assembled fibrillar networks has inspired this bottom-up approach to the basic question-what drives some molecules to form molecular gels? Self-assembled low molecular weight organogelators are becoming a more feasible alternative to fat crystal networks to structure lipid food products, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, their mechanism of assembly is synonymous to numerous important biological assemblies that influence health including: prion protein aggregation and amyloid plaque formation. Fundamental knowledge gained from this program will be transitioned into the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and petroleum areas for nano-structured controlled delivery systems. This research directly benefits Canadian consumers along with food and pharmaceutical industries. Extensive fundamental knowledge of organogels, self assembly and advanced instruments used in the field of nano-technology will prepare HQP for careers in academia, government or industry.