Structural elucidation of assembly and order of photocurrent-generating peptides

Project Description

This project is centered on the utility of capabilities at the BioPACIFIC MIP’s small X-ray scattering and microED facilities to elucidate structural information on energy-transporting assemblies and co-assemblies of peptides bearing π-conjugated units—both in solution and when assembled on surfaces. These electroactive peptides are currently being developed as biomaterials that can be used to (1) convert light to stimulatory cues for excitable cells; and (2) provide topographical cues for directing cellular organization on the basis of the supramolecular packing within the nanostructures formed. A library of supramolecular units will be evaluated within a 1 year timeline, including sequence-varied units bearing semiconducting π-electron units such as quaterthiophene, perylene diimide, and porphyrin units. The design principles that will be gathered from the proposed measurements will provide a path towards our long-term goal, which is to develop transducer biomacromolecules that can behavior of excitable cells and tissues using light without the need for any genetic modification.

Instruments