Our laboratory is interested in designing biomimetic structures with applications in biological and materials sciences. One class of structures are molecular chains that fold into helical (spiral) shapes containing central pores and channels of various sizes. The methods used for constructing the folding porous structures are very similar to those of synthesizing natural oligopeptides. These molecules are characterized use 1D and 2D NMR, X-ray crystallography, UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and many other techniques.

Based on our folding molecules, one current effort involves the design of nano-sized pores and channels for transporting various ions and small molecules across lipid bilayers (cell membranes), which in turn can serve as the basis for developing biosensors and antimicrobial and anticancer drugs. These nanopores and channels could also be used as novel drug-delivering agents. Students working this project will learn organic synthesis, biochemical methods and biophysical techniques.

Another application of our folding molecules is the extension of the same folding principles into preparing long polymer chains, which should fold into long, previously unknown nanotubes. Nanoporous materials made of these folding nanotubes will be used for preparing membranes that can be used to purify water, to separate various molecules such as synthesized drug molecules, and to remove toxins from environment.