Poly(amide)-based dendrimers have shown potential as scaffolds for cell delivery agents when used in conjunction with the peptide gH(625-644) (gH625), derived from herpes simplex virus type 1. The peptide has been shown to transport cargo across cell membranes as well as having mild antiviral activity in vitro. Dendrimers have been chosen as a scaffold due to the modular nature of their synthesis. The synthesis of mono-functionalized dendrimers has been explored and optimized . It has been shown that when covalently attached to the termini of a second-generation (one having 18 termini) dendrimer scaffold, the chosen peptide enters cells more efficiently. Varying the generation of dendrimers may give a dendrimer-based delivery systems an advantage over traditional linear polymeric systems. An array of dendrimer scaffolds with varying termini onto which the active peptide can be attached have been synthesized. Linear analogs to the first and second-generation dendrimers were synthesized for comparison testing. Cell studies are plannd to determine the most efficient transmembrane transport system. About the Speaker
Elizabeth Kaufman is a researcher and PhD candidate in the Molecular Design Institute of the NYU Graduate School of Chemistry. Her current research under Dr. Marcus Weck, centers on biological applications of the class of perfectly branched molecules known as dendrimers, particularly with regard to the cellular uptake of such systems to optimize a cellular delivery system. Kaufman was granted a McCracken Award in 2011 and became a Kramer Award recipient in 2014. Kaufman's undergraduate research focused on synthesis of organically templated gallium sulfates. Kaufman is a 2011 graduate of Haverford College with a BS in Chemistry.