Molecular recognition and sensing with designed biomimetic systems: From beta-hairpins to lipid bilayers

AEI 13

Sara M. Butterfield, Sara.Butterfield@chiorg.unige.ch1, Stefan Matile, stefan.matile@chiorg.unige.ch1, Julius Rebek Jr., jrebek@scripps.edu2, and Marcey L Waters, mlwaters@email.unc.edu3. (1) Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, Geneva, CH-1211, Switzerland, (2) The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and the Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, MB 26, La Jolla, CA 92037, (3) Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel HIll, NC 27599-3260
My graduate and postdoctoral research has given me a strong foundation in bio-organic and physical organic chemistry. During my graduate work, I performed investigations of aromatic interactions in protein folding and protein-nucleic acid recognition using structured de novo designed peptides. As a post-doc, I used synthetic cavitand receptors to explore the influence of molecular encapsulation on buried interactions in water as well as nucleophilic displacements reactions in organic solvents. I am currently exploring the use of fluorophore loaded unilamellar vesicles for the fluorometric detection of biologically relevant molecules, such as cholesterol. As an independent researcher, I am interested in creating electrochemical sensing platforms comprised of biopolymers (peptides, oligonucleotides) anchored to electrode surfaces for the detection of chemicals of physiological or environmental concern. My future research plans builds on my experience in de novo protein design and molecular recognition to develop bio-nano-materials for diverse sensing applications. I am seeking a position at a masters or Ph.D granting institution which will allow me to establish a creative and interdisciplinary research program.
 

Academic Employment Initiative
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Monday, August 20, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Sci-Mix

Academic Employment Initiative

The 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, August 19-23, 2007