The synthesis and characterization of self-assembling peptides bearing organic-electronic units for the development of biologically active nanowires
by Diegelmann, Stephen Robert, Ph.D., THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, 2011, 284 pages; 3483378

Abstract:

The development of complex self-assembling supramolecular systems derived from single, and sometimes simple, molecules has become an area of vast interest. These molecules are specifically designed to foster favorable intermolecular interactions leading to highly ordered macromolecular assemblies through 'bottom-up' fabrication with size dimensions that are on the order of nanometers to tens of microns. Self-assembling amyloid-like nanostructures provide biologically relevant systems that can be harnessed for the development of novel nanobiomaterials. Amyloid-like materials are composed of well-defined one dimensional (1-D) structures that can be used as scaffolding for controlled organization of organic electronic materials in aqueous environments. We have developed and functionalized a wide array of organic semiconductors and incorporated them into oligopeptides designed to self-assemble into 1-D amyloid-like nanofibers. These nanofibers have internalized intermolecularly delocalized pi-stacked oligothiophenes as well as linearly conjugated polydiacetylene (PDA) polymers running along the nanofiber long axis. These nanofibers can be globally aligned and fabricated into electronic devices that have a high degree of directionally dependent charge mobility. Preliminary experiments have also shown that these materials can be interfaced with biological systems with potential use as electro-active cell culture matrices.

 
AdviserJ. D. Tovar
SchoolTHE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
SourceDAI/B 73-01, p. , Nov 2011
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsBiochemistry; Polymer chemistry; Nanotechnology
Publication Number3483378
Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation:
 

» Find an electronic copy at your library.
  Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work:
  http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl%3furl_ver=Z39.88-2004%26res_dat=xri:pqdiss%26rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation%26rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3483378
  If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not, you will have the option to purchase one, and access a 24 page preview for free (if available).

About ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
With over 2.3 million records, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research.

The database includes citations of graduate works ranging from the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to those accepted as recently as last semester. Of the 2.3 million graduate works included in the database, ProQuest offers more than 1.9 million in full text formats. Of those, over 860,000 are available in PDF format. More than 60,000 dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.

If you have questions, please feel free to visit the ProQuest Web site - http://www.proquest.com - or call ProQuest Hotline Customer Support at 1-800-521-3042.