Molecular VELCRO

University Of Texas At Austin, Austin TX

Investigators

Abstract

With this new award the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program supports the work of Dr. Brent L. Iverson in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Texas at Austin. The goal of the work is to develop a "molecular Velcro," consisting of negatively charged polydonor strands that link selectively 1:1 to positively charged polyacceptor strands to provide high affinity (low dissociation constant) dimeric links. Various combinations of polydonor and polyacceptor strand molecules will be investigated using HPLC, NMR, isothermal titration calorimetry, Biacore kinetic analysis, and molecular modeling. The basic idea of the work is to develop complementary molecules analogous to the fiber and hook combination of real Velcro. These tightly binding pairs of molecules can then be used to bind two large molecules together in close proximity, or to bind a large molecule to a surface. There are potential applications in immunoassays and biosensors, for example in a sensor used to detect the presence of specific pathogenic bacteria. In addition to possible practical applications, the work is expected to contribute to fundamental knowledge in the area of noncovalent binding, and to provide excellent training for the students involved.