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Joel Schneider, Ph.D.
University of Delaware

The Speaker: Joel P. Schneider hails from the Midwest and earned his BS in Chemistry, magna cum lauda,  from the University of Akron. His Ph.D. is from Texas A&M working with Jeffery Kelly. After a post-doc at the University of Pennsylvania in the DeGrado labs he joined the University of Delaware Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry with connections into the Department of Material Sciences and Engineering. He currently is a DuPont Young Faculty Awardee and he is also the recipient of an NSF Career Award. His research in inorganic biochemistry and peptide design and synthesis has led to new biomaterials that were the recent focus of a Chemistry & Engineering News concentrate.

The Talk: Peptide design has been used to construct chemically and mechanically responsive materials. A general peptide design is presented that links the intramolecular folding of beta-hairpin peptides to their propensity to self-assemble affording hydrogels rich in beta-sheets. Environmental responsiveness has been specifically engineered into the material by linking intramolecular folding to changes in solution pH or temperature, mechanical responsiveness by linking hydrogelation to self-assembly. CD and IR spectroscopies show that at low pH or low temperature, individual peptides are structures affording a low viscosity aqueous solution. Under basic conditions or elevated temperatures, intramolecular folding takes place giving amphiphilic beta-hairpins that intermolecularly self-assemble. The folding and self-assembly events are totally reversible affording a “smart” material responsive to its environment. Rheology shows that the hydrogel is strong but is shear thinning. However, quick mechanical strength recovery after cessation of shear is observed due to the inherent self-assembly nature of the scaffold. Characterization of the gelation process, from the molecular level up through the macroscopic properties of the material, suggests that by linking the intramolecular folding of small designed peptides to their ability to self-assemble, responsive materials can be prepared. Microscopic characterization of the hydrogel reveals a suitable candidate for use in tissue engineering. The possibility of controlling bulk properties via peptide design at the molecular level will be discussed.

The September meeting will be held at Adelphia Restaurant in Deptford.

The restaurant is located at 1750 Clements-Bridge Road, Deptford NJ 08096

From North Jersey, Philly, take I295 to exit 26, take Highway 42/Atlantic City Expressway south towards Atlantic City, and exit onto Highway 55. Take the first exit. Go left at the light and proceed to Clements-Bridge Road. Turn right. The restaurant is on the left side of the road and will require you to do a U-turn.

From Atlantic City, take the AC Express way to the Route 322 exit. Go through Rowan campus to route 55. Take Route 55 north to the Deptford Mall exit. Use directions above.

From Rowan, use Route 55 to go to the Deptford Mall, exit and then use the directions above.

Please call the restaurant at 856-845-8200 for directions if needed. You can also check their web site at www.adelphiarestaurant.com.

Dinner selections: Prime Rib, Flounder, and Eggplant Parmesan


Please contact one of the people below by Friday, Sept 16. Be sure to indicate your dinner choice.

Martin Schneiderman, 856-384-7295 or Schnema@jmusa.com
Reena Colacot, 609-919-3378 or reena.colacot@laureatepharma.com