Mentor: Dominik Konkolewicz, Ph.D.

Copolymers synthesized with vinyl ether monomers and maleic anhydride by reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization have proven successful in forming lipid nanodisc environments in which the stabilization and study of membrane proteins is possible. However, functionalization of these copolymers with chiral molecules is not well studied in analyzing whether there exist differences in membrane protein stability, being present in one chiral environment over its enantiomeric environment. Vinyl ether polymers synthesized, with either monomers of butyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride (BMA) or dodecyl vinyl ether, butyl vinyl ether, and maleic anhydride were utilized (DBMA). These copolymers were functionalized with D or L alanine and hydrolyzed, forming vinyl ether maleic anhydride alanine polymers (BMAAl and DBMAAl). The copolymers were then subjected to dynamic light scattering to confirm the size and homogeneity of the vesicles produced. Despite a difference in the stereochemistry of alanine used, DLS on BMAA and DBMAA POPC lipid vesicles showed no difference based on stereochemistry between functionalization with D- or L-alanine. Line broadening in POPC vesicles were observed with functionalization of copolymer with either D- or L-alanine, indiscriminately.

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