New one-dimensional nanostructures are synthesized
Science on the nano-scale is becoming an increasingly important field of research. Stephen Diegelmann, Justin Gorham and John Tovar of the Department of Chemistry at Hopkins recently developed a new class of nano-scale molecules and a method for constructing the one-dimensional structures.
One method of nanostructure construction is to use external stimuli to coax molecules into a useful form. "We have designed and synthesized proteins which allow us to control the shape, size and three-dimensional organization of these new nanobiomaterials," Diegelmann, a graduate student on the project, said.
"These materials are similar to the beta-amyloid plaques, which have been associated with diseases like Alzheimer's."
In this research, pi-conjugated materials were incorporated into the structures. A pi-conjugated system is a molecule with alternating single and double bonds between consecutive atoms. This alternation creates an electron cloud that can powerfully interact with and attract other pi clouds.
Interactions between pi systems are accomplished by inserting pi segments into beta-sheets. A beta-sheet is a segment of a molecule formed by the folding of a large protein.
Here, the pi systems are sandwiched between segments of beta-sheets. Self-assembly of the nanostructure can be induced, resulting in the "formation of self-supporting gels suggestive of entangled 1-D structures," Diegelmann said.
"Our materials can be viewed as molecular nanowires, which are thousands of times smaller than a human hair and can only be seen with electron and atomic force microscopes," Diegelmann said.
Confirmation that the beta-sheets and pi-conjugated systems were both present was supplied by various methods. The infrared light sequence associated with the structure showed bands indicative of beta-sheets.
Circular dichromism, a test based on the absorption of polarized light, showed intense absorption for the assembled structure but showed no appreciable results for the unassembled structure.
One method of nanostructure construction is to use external stimuli to coax molecules into a useful form. "We have designed and synthesized proteins which allow us to control the shape, size and three-dimensional organization of these new nanobiomaterials," Diegelmann, a graduate student on the project, said.
"These materials are similar to the beta-amyloid plaques, which have been associated with diseases like Alzheimer's."
In this research, pi-conjugated materials were incorporated into the structures. A pi-conjugated system is a molecule with alternating single and double bonds between consecutive atoms. This alternation creates an electron cloud that can powerfully interact with and attract other pi clouds.
Interactions between pi systems are accomplished by inserting pi segments into beta-sheets. A beta-sheet is a segment of a molecule formed by the folding of a large protein.
Here, the pi systems are sandwiched between segments of beta-sheets. Self-assembly of the nanostructure can be induced, resulting in the "formation of self-supporting gels suggestive of entangled 1-D structures," Diegelmann said.
"Our materials can be viewed as molecular nanowires, which are thousands of times smaller than a human hair and can only be seen with electron and atomic force microscopes," Diegelmann said.
Confirmation that the beta-sheets and pi-conjugated systems were both present was supplied by various methods. The infrared light sequence associated with the structure showed bands indicative of beta-sheets.
Circular dichromism, a test based on the absorption of polarized light, showed intense absorption for the assembled structure but showed no appreciable results for the unassembled structure.
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