9412442 Imperiali The focus of this research is the assembly of "compact" supersecondary structural motifs of 20-40 amino acids in length for the de novo synthesis of proteins. Specific targets include a triple-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet motif, structurally based on a domain excised from the homologous family of alpha-neurotoxins, and alpha,beta,beta and beta, alpha,alpha motifs patterned after the scorpion toxins and zinc finger proteins respectively. The studies will evaluate the potential for using tailored motifs for the preparation of templates, useful in turn, for the costruction of catalysts. %%% With this renewal award, the Synthetic Organic Program is supporting the research of Dr. Barbara Imperiali of the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the California Institute of Technology. Professor Imperiali will focus her work on understanding and manipulating polypeptide architecture. The work will involve the assembly of structurally defined polypeptide motifs that can be used as versatile three dimensional templates for the construction of catalytically active entities.
