Researcher Emeritus, Biological Nanostructures
510.486.7091
Biography
I am fascinated by the way nature builds precise 3-dimensional nanostructures from the folding of linear polymers. We aim to adapt the fundamental principles of protein folding to man-made polymers, to create novel and robust nanoarchitectures that are capable of specific molecular recognition and catalysis. We have developed a new class of bio-inspired polymer called ‘peptoids’ that can be synthesized with remarkable efficiency and sequence-specific precision. This enables us to prepare vast combinatorial libraries of information-rich polymers, and screen them for a variety of functions. In close collaboration with theorists, we are discovering the design rules that govern the synthesis of atomically-ordered, protein-mimetic materials to solve frontier problems in energy and materials science.
Education
Ph.D. Chemistry, UC Berkeley, 1989. Advisor: Prof. Peter Schultz
B.S. Chemistry, Harvey Mudd College, 1984
Links
Ron’s website: http://www.ronznet.com
Peptoid Summit: http://www.peptoids.org
Nanosheet info: http://www.nanosheets.org
LBNL Press Releases
- http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2008/07/22/nano-sized-jaws-perform-like-proteins/
- http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2010/04/12/molecular-paper/
- http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2011/01/18/nanoscale-rope/
- http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2015/04/01/a-robot-chemist-at-your-service/
- http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2014/09/03/peptoid-nanosheets-at-the-oilwater-interface/
- http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2016/03/28/peptoid-nanotubes/
Videos
- Research Profile (1 minute): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKsCQk6Ln_s
- “Mimicking Biology to Make Better Materials”, Science at the Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theater, 5/13/2013 (8 minutes): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs6YDfD9Gl4
- “Peppytides: Interactive Models of the Polypeptide Chain” (5 minutes): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1UKEo4F5p4
