Many crucial molecular-level biological functions are carried out by sequence-specific oligomers or polymers, such as peptides, proteins or nucleic acids. Chemical synthesis of sequence-specific oligomers is very labor-intensive, which has led us to ask whether any functions of biopolymers could be displayed by sequence-random copolymers. We are exploring this question in three contexts, mimicry of host-defense peptides (example below), mimicry of lung-surfactant proteins and mimicry of proteins that attract cells to surfaces.

Biologically active nylon-3 copolymers

243rd National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.