Scientific Achievement
Foundry staff and users have developed a new method to synthesize and screen libraries of peptoid nanostructures capable of selectively binding target proteins.
Significance and Impact
This is the first high-throughput method for the synthesis and discovery of high-affinity antibody-mimetic materials. It will enable rapid discovery of bioinspired polymers that recognize pathogens and will have an impact on many biomedical applications.
Research Details
- The research team mimicked the basic structure of antibody binding sites by positioning peptoid loops on the surface of peptoid nanosheets to create high-surface area materials that could support multiple binding events.
- They developed an automated method for rapid discovery consisting of four steps: synthesis of loop-containing peptoids, assembly into loopoid nanosheets, screening nanosheets for binding activity, and hit validation.
- Using this strategy, the researchers discovered a potent peptoid nanosheet binder for anthrax protective antigen, a toxin-related protein.
