Optimizing the solid-phase synthesis of amphiphilic peptoid sequences for the assembly of gold embedded nanosheets

Peptoids are synthetic peptidomimetics with a large range of chemical and biological applications. Amphiphilic peptoids form bilayer nanosheets through the collapse of self-assembled monolayers at fluid interfaces. The amphiphilic peptoid chains, with alternating polar and nonpolar structures, are embedded with gold nanoparticles to form plasmonic nanosheets. These two-dimensional sheets show potential for use as SERS sensors to detect environmental pollutants in water. This research focuses on learning the solid-phase synthesis of amphiphilic peptoids in Dr. Caroline Proulx's lab at North Carolina State University, and applying that knowledge to optimize the synthesis process in Dr. Ellen Robertson's lab at Union College. Successfully carrying out the synthesis in Professor Robertson's lab will enable the experimentation of peptoid chains with varied nonpolar substituents, beyond those typically used for sheet formation. This will help us understand the properties that promote successful nanosheet formation, enabling the optimization of gold nanoparticle-embedded peptoid nanosheets for sensing applications.