The design and synthesis of protein-mimetic materials based on the folding of non-natural polymers into defined nanostructures is a fundamental challenge in materials science. Two levels of 'synthesis' are required: (1) the covalent structure - the conventional multi-step solid-phase organic synthesis of the precise monomer sequence in the chain, and (2) the non-covalent structure - the folding/assembly of the chain into a higher order structure. Both of these synthetic processes have been studied in detail for the production of functionalized peptoid nanosheets in high yield. Computational tools are also being developed at the atomistic and coarse-grained levels, which provide new insights into the dynamics of chain folding and assembly. The precision synthetic control over peptoid structure afforded by the submonomer method enables the rapid prototyping of new polymeric materials, as well as the testing of fundamental principles in polymer science and structural biology. 

Synthesis, folding, and assembly of peptoid nanostructures

247th National Meeting (2014)

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