Johns Hopkins University

Brian D Wall

John Dayton Tovar

Stephen Robert Diegelmann

Geeta Sophie Vadehra

The aqueous self-assembly of oligopeptide-flanked &#x3c0;-conjugated molecules into discrete one-dimensional nanostructures is described. Unique to these molecules is the fact that the &#x3c0;-conjugated unit has been directly embedded within the peptide backbone by way of a synthetic amino acid with &#x3c0;-functionality that is compatible with standard Fmoc-based peptide synthesis or by way of a diacid or other bis(electrophile) that can covalently cross-link peptide chains presented on a synthesis support. The peptide-based molecular designs enforce intimate &#x3c0;-&#x3c0; communication within the aggregates after charge-screening and self-assembly, making these nanostructures attractive for optical or electronic applications in biological environments. In other embodiments, a convenient method to incorporate &#x3c0;-electron units into peptides that assemble into amyloid-like supramolecular polymers is disclosed. Self-assembly manipulates these 'electronic peptides' into delocalized sub-10 nm one dimensional (1-D) nanostructures under completely aqueous conditions.

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Baltimore, MD, United States of America

Brian D Wall