Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center
On Templated Synthesis and Assembly at the Nanoscale

Thrust 2: Nylon-3 Co-Polymers: Discovery of New Bioactive Materials

R. Liu, X. Chen, S.P. Falk, Brandon P. Mowery, Amy J. Karlsson, Bernard. Weisblum, Sean. P. Palecek, Kristyn S. Masters, Samuel H. Gellman

Proper development of plants and animals requires that different cell types self-organize into complex structures such as organs and blood vessels. Thrust 2 has identified nylon-3 polymers that selectively promote endothelial cell growth.

 

Drugs with selective toxicity toward fungi, relative to mammalian cells, are difficult to develop because fungi are eukaryotes. We have identified nylon-3 polymers with potent antifungal activity and high selectivity.