The innovation engine for new materials

Birsen Varisli

2008 Summer Intern

University: 

Jackson State University

Major: 

Chemistry

Mentor(s): 

Anzarul Khan

Faculty Sponsor(s): 

Craig Hawker

Faculty Sponsor's Department(s): 

Materials

Project Title: 

SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL DENDRIMER FOR DRUG DELIVERY

Project Description: 

A supramolecular dendrimer-peptide conjugate is being designed for the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. The designed non-polar alkyl branches are at the periphery of the dendrimer. This will act as a nanotemplate for the organization of peptide amphiphiles. This self-organization will lead to the formation of spherical assemblies in which the peptide will contain the recognition elements as well as drug molecules. Meanwhile, the dendrimer will act as a scaffold as well as a delivery vehicle. The synthesis of the dendrimer involves multiple efficient thiolene photoreactions under environmentally friendly conditions. Sequently, anhydride coupling reactions are performed to functionalize the dendrimer. The thiolene reactions are demonstrated to be very efficient (quantitative yields) and robust. The product purification requires only precipitation in a non-solvent that leads to isolation of products with high purity. The anhydride coupling reactions are also efficient and high yielding reaction. A generation 3 based dendrimer containing thiododecyl chains at the periphery will be synthesized and the self-assembly behavior of the supramolecular conjugate will be investigated in detail.