Synthesis of Biomimetic Peptides Acting as Anti-Freeze Molecules

Project Description

Some organisms living at freezing temperatures produce anti-freeze proteins to ensure survival. We aim to resemble the molecular structure of anti-freeze proteins that interact with ice crystals in a way that inhibits ice growth, thereby avoiding cell damage. We will synthesize libraries of peptides that mimic the typical structures found in anti-freeze proteins for structure-property and mechanistic investigations of antifreeze activity. Their ice recrystallization inhibition potency will also be studied. We aim to synthesize peptides that contain the highly conserved Threonine-(any)-Threonine sequence. The side chains of the Threonine residues will be bridged by macrocyclization to fix their position to allow for better ice lattice matching. To examine the role of functional groups in antifreeze activity, the Threonine methyl groups will be systematically replaced with more hydrophobic groups or groups with various charges.

Instruments