ORGN 369 |
| Heather A. Behanna1, Alex C. Gordon1, and Samuel I. Stupp2. (1) Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 N. Sheridan Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, (2) Departments of Chemistry and Materials Science and Engineering, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern Univerrsity, 2220 Campus Dr, Evanston, IL, IL 60208 |
| Peptide amphiphiles are compounds that can self-assemble in aqueous media into nanostructures. In our laboratory, we have developed a family of compounds that self-assembles into nanofibers that network to form gels. We have designed the molecules so that the nanofibers when interfaced with cells can provide signals for cell growth or differentiation. Our group has also studied systems where two amphiphiles of complementary charge combine and form mixed systems due to electrostatic interactions. In order to track in vitro and in vivo the resultant fibers and further study their properties, we synthesized the fluorescent peptide amphiphile 1 (FPA). This peptide amphiphile incorporates a fluorescent moiety by reaction with the amine terminus of the peptide, which ends up exposed to the periphery of the nanofiber upon self-assembly. This FPA can then be mixed with other amphiphiles via electrostatic interactions, and the resulting fluorescence and CD spectra studied. Dilution of the FPA with complementary amphiphiles leads to fluorescence recovery and interesting secondary structures. Both the percent of FPA present, and the temperature of mixing, control the placement and isolation of the chromophores along the length of a fiber. These mixed FPA systems may be used in vivo for sensing applications . "
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Physical Organic, Combinatorial, Materials, Molecular Recognition
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Tuesday, March 30, 2004 Anaheim Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster
Division of Organic Chemistry |
