Peptoid Nanomaterials

Proteins fold into precisely defined three-dimensional structures because of the exact chemical information encoded in the monomer sequence of the peptide polymer. The ability to replicate this level of sequence control in synthetic molecules has long been a target for chemists and biologists. Recently, peptoid polymers have been developed as a platform that allows for the efficient synthesis of monodisperse sequence-defined polymers. Because the monomer sequence and chemistry can be controlled with an incredible degree of precision, peptoids present an ideal system for the synthesis of robust, protein-like nanomaterials. These structures have been shown to mimic many of the structural features and functions found in proteins as well as new architectures not found in nature. Work toward understanding the structure and interactions of peptoids at the molecular level will enable the production of robust nanomaterials, which brings the fields of synthetic and biological polymers together.