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Supramolecular chemistry is an emerging sub-discipline of chemistry
that primarily concerns itself with non-covalent intermolecular
interactions. These relatively weak forces are used in large number
to create nanometer sized objects in a massively parallel fashion.
The inspiration for this area of research comes primarily from
advances in our understanding of biological systems and the
miraculous structures found therein. Great strides have been made to
mimic both the structures found in biological systems and the
approaches that biology uses to create these structures. Although
many of these advances are truly remarkable, and many may find
practical application in the future, a situation has arisen where we
are able to produce materials which have no easy method of
manipulation or organization into higher order structures. It is
analogous to being able to produce a wheel and an axle and having no
way to connect them to one another, let alone to a cart.
Alternatively one could compare this stage of supramolecular
chemistry to traditional organic synthesis of a century ago when the
number of chemical transformation and protecting groups were
severely limited. In order to bring supramolecular chemistry to a
new level of sophistication methods by which two or more
supramolecular objects can be coupled or organized must be
developed.
My research is directed at solving this problem by employing a
second step of self-assembly, covalent capture and / or
mineralization to create complex and functional assemblies. Three
projects are starting in my lab which address this. The first uses
the self-assembly of ?coiled-coils? (a pair of alpha-helical
peptides wound around one another) as a framework for the secondary
self-assembly of a conductive organic matrix to form wires with
nanometer dimensions. These wires, unlike most other approaches to
nanoscale electronics, may be able to organize themselves in neural
networks that can readily interface with traditional electronics.
The second project is geared toward the synthesis of an artificial
extracellular matrix (ECM) for use as a drug and cell delivery
vehicle and tissue regeneration therapies. This biomimetic material
will be prepared through two steps of self-assembly followed by
covalent capture. The third project targets the synthesis of novel
catalysts and magnetic materials. The preparation of these materials
uses the mechanisms involved in biomineralization that allow biology
to create an amazing diversity of inorganic and composite materials
such as shells, teeth and bone.
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