
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.