Chemistry Colloquium: Dr. Jean Chmielewski

The Department of Chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences is pleased to welcome Dr. Jean Chmielewski, Interim Dean and Alice Watson Kramer Distinguished Professor at Purdue University.

Title: Peptides as Tools to Eradicate Intracellular Pathogenic Bacteria and Develop Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine

Abstract

This seminar will provide insights into two different areas in Chemical Biology: the development of agents that target intracellular pathogenic bacteria and biomaterials for tissue engineering.  The first half of the talk will focus on the significant challenges posed by bacterial pathogens that have evolved to inhabit mammalian cells, such as phagocytic macrophages. Within these intracellular safe havens bacteria, such as Mycobacterium, form a repository and are able to evade the host immune response as well as a number of antibiotic drugs. We have developed a class of molecules, cationic amphiphilic polyproline helices (CAPHs), that have a dual mode of action: non-lytic antibacterial activity with the ability to localize within mammalian cells. These agents efficiently target and kill pathogenic intracellular bacteria, including Salmonella and Brucella, within human macrophages. In the second half of the talk the focus will switch to an innovative strategy to produce synthetic, three-dimensional, functionalized peptide-based materials. Small collagen and coiled-coil peptides have been designed that self assemble into well-ordered nano and microscale structures. Strategically placed metal-binding sites within the collagen peptides drive metal-promoted assembly, producing unique micron-sized spheres, crystals, meshes and disks. Additional ligand binding sites within and on the surface of the collagen materials are harnessed for inclusion of bioactive molecules, including growth factors and cell adhesion agents.  The use of these materials in drug delivery and tissue growth will be discussed.