The Design and Synthesis of Versatile Molecular Building Blocks: Working Towards the Controlled Self-Assembly of Novel Functional Materials

Our research goals are focused on the preparation of novel molecule-based materials that possess specifically designed properties in solution or in the solid state e.g. self-assembly, magnetism, conductivity and spin crossover phenomena. Most of our systems incorporate paramagnetic transition metal ions and the search for new molecule-based magnetic materials is a prominent theme. Specific areas of research include the preparation and study of oxalate based 2D and 3D magnets, probing the versatility of octacyanometalate building blocks as precursors for new molecular magnets, and the preparation of new tetrathiafulvalene (TIF) derivatives for applications in molecular and supramolecular chemistry.

Atomistic simulations of 2D bicomponent self-assembly: from molecular recognition to self-healing

Supramolecular two-dimensional engineering epitomizes the design of complex molecular architectures through recognition events in multicomponent self-assembly. Despite being the subject of in-depth experimental studies, such articulated phenomena have not been yet elucidated in time and space with atomic precision. Here we use atomistic molecular dynamics to simulate the recognition of complementary hydrogen-bonding modules forming 2D porous networks on graphite. We describe the transition path from the melt to the crystalline hexagonal phase and show that self-assembly proceeds through a series of intermediate states featuring a plethora of polygonal types. Finally, we design a novel bicomponent system possessing kinetically improved self-healing ability in silico, thus demonstrating that a priori engineering of 2D self-assembly is possible.

Self-assembly of focal point oligo-catechol ethylene glycol dendrons on titanium oxide surfaces: adsorption kinetics, surface characterization, and nonfouling properties

This work covers the synthesis of second-generation, ethylene glycol dendrons covalently linked to a surface anchor that contains two, three, or four catechol groups, the molecular assembly in aqueous buffer on titanium oxide surfaces, and the evaluation of the resistance of the monomolecular adlayers against nonspecific protein adsorption in contact with full blood serum. The results were compared to those of a linear poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) analogue with the same molecular weight. The adsorption kinetics as well as resulting surface coverages were monitored by ex situ spectroscopic ellipsometry (VASE), in situ optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy (OWLS), and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) investigations. The expected compositions of the macromolecular films were verified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results of the adsorption study, performed in a high ionic strength ("cloud-point") buffer at room temperature, demonstrate that the adsorption kinetics increase with increasing number of catechol binding moieties and exceed the values found for the linear PEG analogue. This is attributed to the comparatively smaller and more confined molecular volume of the dendritic macromolecules in solution, the improved presentation of the catechol anchor, and/or their much lower cloud-point in the chosen buffer (close to room temperature). Interestingly, in terms of mechanistic aspects of "nonfouling" surface properties, the dendron films were found to be much stiffer and considerably less hydrated in comparison to the linear PEG brush surface, closer in their physicochemical properties to oligo(ethylene glycol) alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers than to conventional brush surfaces. Despite these differences, both types of polymer architectures at saturation coverage proved to be highly resistant toward protein adsorption. Although associated with higher synthesis costs, dendritic macromolecules are considered to be an attractive alternative to linear polymers for surface (bio)functionalization in view of their spontaneous formation of ultrathin, confluent, and nonfouling monolayers at room temperature and their outstanding ability to present functional ligands (coupled to the termini of the dendritic structure) at high surface densities.

Self-assembly of sensory neurons into ganglia-like microtissues

Unraveling intra- and inter-cellular signaling networks managing cell-fate control, coordinating complex differentiation regulatory circuits and shaping tissues and organs in living systems remain major challenges in the post-genomic era. Resting on the laurels of past-century monolayer culture technologies, the cell culture community has only recently begun to appreciate the potential of three-dimensional mammalian cell culture systems to reveal the full scope of mechanisms orchestrating the tissue-like cell quorum in space and time. Capitalizing on gravity-enforced self-assembly of monodispersed primary embryonic mouse cells in hanging drops, we designed and characterized a three-dimensional cell culture model for ganglion-like structures. Within 24h, a mixture of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) and cells, derived from the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) (sensory neurons and Schwann cells) grown in hanging drops, assembled to coherent spherical microtissues characterized by a MEF feeder core and a peripheral layer of DRG-derived cells. In a time-dependent manner, sensory neurons formed a polar ganglion-like cap structure, which coordinated guided axonal outgrowth and innervation of the distal pole of the MEF feeder spheroid. Schwann cells, present in embryonic DRG isolates, tended to align along axonal structures and myelinate them in an in vivo-like manner. Whenever cultivation exceeded 10 days, DRG:MEF-based microtissues disintegrated due to an as yet unknown mechanism. Using a transgenic MEF feeder spheroid, engineered for gaseous acetaldehyde-inducible interferon-beta (ifn-beta) production by cotransduction of retro-/ lenti-viral particles, a short 6-h ifn-beta induction was sufficient to rescue the integrity of DRG:MEF spheroids and enable long-term cultivation of these microtissues. In hanging drops, such microtissues fused to higher-order macrotissue-like structures, which may pave the way for sophisticated bottom-up tissue engineering strategies. DRG:MEF-based artificial micro- and macrotissue design demonstrated accurate key morphological aspects of ganglions and exemplified the potential of self-assembled scaffold-free multicellular micro-/macrotissues to provide new insight into organogenesis.

Role of the B1 short arm in laminin self-assembly

Laminin self-assembles into a basement membrane polymer through specific low-affinity interactions. Recently, it was shown that the terminal short-arm domain (domains VI and V) of the B1 chain (fragment E4) possesses one of the laminin self-interaction sites [Schittny, J.C. & Yurchenco, P.D. (1990) J. Cell Biol. 110, 825-832], but that the binding partner(s) of this domain is unknown. Using affinity retardation chromatography we now investigate the domain(s) fragment E4 binds to. The elution of E4 was clearly retarded on immobilized laminin and fragment E1' (three-chain short-arm complex excluding the distal part of the B1 chain), but not on immobilized E4 in calcium containing buffer and at 37 degrees C. Under the same conditions, E1' strongly interacts with immobilized E4. In addition, E1' is able to non-covalently cross-link soluble E4 to immobilized E4. No further interaction of laminin and E4 with additional fragments (P1', A, B2 and B1 chain short-arm complex without B1-domains VI-IV and without globules; E8, distal long arm and G1-3; E3, long-arm G subdomains 4 and 5) could be demonstrated. These data are interpreted as evidence that (a) the primary laminin-laminin bonds are formed between the short arms of laminin, that (b) the terminal B1 short-arm domain (E4) can interact with the short arm(s) of the A and/or B2 chain(s) (domain E1'), but does not self-interact, and that (c) due to at least three self-binding sites, laminin polymerization behaves co-operatively.

Terminal short arm domains of basement membrane laminin are critical for its self-assembly

Laminin self-assembles into large polymers by a cooperative two-step calcium-dependent mechanism (Yurchenco, P. D., E. C. Tsilibary, A. S. Charonis, and H. Furthmayr. 1985. J. Biol. Chem. 260:7636-7644). The domain specificity of this process was investigated using defined proteolytically generated fragments corresponding to the NH2-terminal globule and adjacent stem of the short arm of the B1 chain (E4), a complex of the two short arms of the A and B2 chains attached to the proximal stem of a third short arm (E1'), a similar complex lacking the globular domains (P1'), and the distal half of the long arm attached to the adjacent portion of the large globule (E8). Polymerization, followed by an increase of turbidity at 360 nm in neutral isotonic TBS containing CaCl2 at 35 degrees C, was quantitatively inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner with laminin fragments E4 and E1' but not with fragments E8 and P1'. Affinity retardation chromatography was used for further characterization of the binding of laminin domains. The migration of fragment E4, but not of fragments E8 and P1', was retarded in a temperature- and calcium-dependent fashion on a laminin affinity column but not on a similar BSA column. These data are evidence that laminin fragments E4 and E1' possess essential terminal binding domains for the self-aggregation of laminin, while fragments E8 and P1' do not. Furthermore, the individual domain-specific interactions that contribute to assembly are calcium dependent and of low affinity.

Hierarchical self-assembly of nucleotide-appended oligopyrenotides into defined supramolecular objects

Supramolecular DNA assembly blends DNA building blocks with synthetic organic and inorganic molecules giving structural and functional advantages both to the initial self-assembly process and to the final construct. Synthetic molecules can bring a number of additional interactions into DNA nanotechnology. Incorporating extended aromatic molecules as connectors of DNA strands allows folding of these strands through π-π stacking (DNA “foldamers”). In previous work it was shown that short oligopyrenotides (phosphodiester-linked pyrene oligomers) behave as staircase-like foldamers, which cooperatively self-assemble into two-dimensional supramolecular polymers in aqueous medium. Herein, we demonstrate that a 10-mer DNA-sequence modified with 7 pyrene units (see illustration) forms dimensionally-defined supramolecular polymers under thermodynamic conditions in water. We present the self-assembly behavior, morphological studies, and the spectroscopic properties of the investigated DNA-sequences (illustrative AFM picture shown below).

Hierarchical self-assembly of nucleotide-appended oligopyrenotides into defined supramolecular objects

Supramolecular DNA assembly blends DNA building blocks with synthetic organic molecules giving structural and functional advantages. Incorporating extended aromatic molecules as connectors of DNA strands allows folding of these strands through π-π stacking (DNA 'foldamers'). In previous work it was shown that short oligopyrenotides behave as staircase-like foldamers, which cooperatively self-assemble into 2D supramolecular polymers in aqueous medium. Herein, we demonstrate that 10-mer DNA-sequence conjugated with seven pyrene unites forms dimensionally-defined supramolecular polymers under thermodynamic conditions in water. We present the self-assembly behavior, morphologycal studies (AFM and TEM), and the spectroscopic properties (UV/vis, CD) of the investigated pyrene - conjugated DNA-sequence.