Self Replicating Peptides

Purdue Research Foundation, West Lafayette IN

Investigators

Abstract

This project seeks to dramatically expand the repertoire of self replicating peptides into new peptide motifs, including systems with the potential for conditional selection. The problem of product inhibition will be addressed through the use of environmental cycling and beta-sheet motifs. Specific questions to be addressed include the limitations on structural motifs that are amenable to self-replication and the minimization of product inhibition. With this Award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program's Organic Synthesis Program supports the research of Professor Jean A. Chmielewski of Purdue University. Professor Chmielewski studies the self-replication of peptides by analogy with similar work in the area of DNA self-replication that has contributed significantly to the development of biotechnology. Application of self-replication in proteins could afford similar advances in biotechnology.