In this work, we report the study of new classes of peptide bolamphiphiles where in different peptide sequences were used as the head groups for the synthesis of peptide bolamphiphiles. We have used His-Gly as the head group for the synthesis of bis (N-alpha-amido-His-Gly-)1,5 pentane dicarboxylate and in a separate study, Leu-Leu was used as the head group for the preparation of bis (N-alpha-amido-leucyl-leucine-)1,5 pentane dicarboxylate moiety. The chain length in the case of Leu-Leu was also varied leading to the formation of the corresponding 1,7 heptane and 1,10 decane moieties. The self-assembly process of the molecules was studied in different solvents. It was observed that the His-Gly containing bolamphiphile tends to self-assemble into nanospheres in aqueous solutions within a week. However, in the presence of Ni or Co ions, they tend to fold to form nanotubular structures. Upon reduction, these materials lead to the efficient formation of Ni and Co nanocrystals on the surface of the nanotubes. However the Leu-Leu bolamphile self-assembled to form nanorod like structures in the presence of organic solvents. The nanosphere, nanorod as well as the nanotube formation mechanisms were probed by Raman microscopy. The size, shape and morphology of the materials obtained were analyzed by TEM, SEM, AFM and MFM imaging. Such materials can be used for device fabrications for sensors, electronics and magnetic materials.
Back to Biochemistry Poster Session
Back to The 33rd Northeast Regional Meeting (July 14-17, 2005)