Date Thesis Awarded
5-2023
Access Type
Honors Thesis -- Access Restricted On-Campus Only
Degree Name
Bachelors of Science (BS)
Department
Chemistry
Advisor
Douglas Young
Committee Members
Lisa Landino
Christopher Abelt
David Armstrong
Abstract
The incorporation of non-canonical amino acids introduces unique chemical functionality to proteins, enabling the preparation of useful bioconjugates. Bioconjugates have wide applications in disease treatment, imaging, and the improvement of protein stability. We demonstrated the application of non-canonical amino acid-mediated bioconjugation to the immobilization and resulting stabilization of a hyperthermophilic enzyme. Additionally, a bioconjugate capable of detecting prostate cancer was produced. Finally, two methods of preparing multivalent bioconjugates are in progress: one involving the development of a novel non-canonical amino acid and the other involving the adaptation of an organic diyne reaction to a biological setting. This thesis aims to highlight the importance of bioconjugation and expand the applications of bioconjugation for drug development.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Hannah, "Introducing Additional Protein Functionality via Incorporation of Non-Canonical Amino Acids" (2023). Undergraduate Honors Theses. William & Mary. Paper 1985.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/honorstheses/1985
