The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a $250,000 Project Grant under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (CFDA 47.049) program to the University of California, Merced. The grant, titled "LEAPS-MPS: EXPANDING THE PEPTIDE ASSEMBLY LANDSCAPE USING MULTIVALENT PEPTIDE MACROCYCLES WITH DESIGNABLE INTERMOLECULAR INTERFACES", supports research led by Professor Merg and his students aimed at developing new approaches for designing and constructing peptide-based nanomaterials. The project seeks to establish synthetic protocols for fabricating large peptide macrocycles that can associate via specific, orthogonal coiled coil-based interactions to form predetermined multimeric complexes. This research could yield a new peptide design and assembly strategy with potential applications in catalysis, therapeutics, and sensing. The award also includes educational and outreach components, such as supporting high school and college students, particularly from underrepresented groups, through summer research programs and recruitment activities. The project is expected to run from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2025.
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