Date Thesis Awarded
5-2024
Access Type
Honors Thesis -- Access Restricted On-Campus Only
Degree Name
Bachelors of Science (BS)
Department
Chemistry
Advisor
Douglas Young
Committee Members
Lisa Landino
William McNamara
C. Ryan Vinroot
Abstract
Non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) present a powerful tool for introducing novel chemical functionality to proteins. Specifically, ncAAs can be introduced into proteins as handles for the synthesis of site-specific, homogeneous protein conjugates, which have potential applications in therapeutics, imaging, and diagnostics. In this thesis, a method is developed for the synthesis of site-specific, multivalent bioconjugates using a single ncAA. Next, the potential of alkynyl-ncAA bioconjugations, including the Glaser-Hay bioconjugation developed by our lab, is expanded on by investigating novel reactivity of aminooxy groups with monoalkynes, bromoalkynes, and 1,3-diynes. The results of this work involve several new methods of bioconjugation, including multivalent conjugation. Finally, progress is made towards using photoreactive ncAAs for the interrogation of the protein-protein interactions of MEMO1 and for light-mediated regulation of Cas9 gene editing.
Recommended Citation
Gourdie, Robert Kinsman, "Non-Canonical Amino Acids for Multivalent Conjugation and Light-Mediated Protein Modulation" (2024). Undergraduate Honors Theses. William & Mary. Paper 2154.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/honorstheses/2154
