Classes Taught
- CHE 139: General Chemistry Lab II
- CHE 230: Organic Chemistry I
- CHE 231: Organic Chemistry Lab I
- CHE 232: Organic Chemistry II
- CHE 233: Organic Chemistry Lab II
- CHE 234: Organic Chemistry III
- CHE 235: Organic Chemistry Lab III
Research Interests
Supramolecular polymers are materials composed of monomeric units held together by non-covalent interactions (ionic, aromatic, hydrogen-bonding, hydrophobic effects, metal-ligand, host-guest chemistry, etc.). Supramolecular polymers differ from typical synthetic polymers in that covalent bonds are not necessary for polymerization. Instead, each monomer is rationally designed with the ability to self-assemble into high-order structure.
Advantages of supramolecular polymers can include: (1) Diversity of monomers used include small molecules, peptides, DNA, sugars and hybrids among others, (2) Reversible structures that can be triggered by external stimuli such as ionic strength, pH and/or temperature, (3) Formation of complex nanostructures structures like fibers, spheres, ribbons, sheets and tubes. Such materials have shown to have vast applications in the field of nanotechnology, regenerative medicine, drug delivery and electronics. The Rubert lab specializes in designing unique peptide sequences and small molecules as monomer units to promote the formation of functional supramolecular polymers for applications in cell culture, anti-bacterial properties and catalysis using aromatic (π-π and π-cation interactions), salt-bridges and metal-ligand interactions as the main driving force for self-assembly.
Selected Publications
C.M. Rubert Pérez, Z. Álvarez, F. Chen, T. Aytun, S.I. Stupp, “Mimicking the Bioactivity of Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 Using Supramolecular Nanoribbons.” ACS Biomater. Sci. Eng. 2017, 3, 2166-2175.
E. Pazos, E. Sleep, C.M. Rubert Pérez, S. Lee, F. Tantakitti, S. Stupp, “Direct Nucleation and Growth of Highly Ordered Silver Nano-particles on Peptide Nanofibers. New Superstructures with Antimicrobial Properties” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, 138, 5507-5510.
C.M. Rubert Pérez, N. Stephanopoulos, S. Sur, S. Lee, C. Newcomb, S. Stupp, “The Powerful Functions of Peptide-based Bioactive Matrices for Regenerative Medicine.” Annals of Biomed. Eng. 2014, 43, 501-514.
C.M. Rubert Pérez, L. A. Rank, J. Chmielewski, “Tuning the Thermosensitive Properties of Hybrid Collagen Peptide-Polymer Hydrogels.” Chem. Comm. 2014, 50, 8174-8176.
J. Boekhoven, C.M. Rubert Pérez, S. Sur, A. Worthy, S.I. Stupp. “Dynamic Display of Bioactivity through Host-Guest Chemistry.” Angew. Chemie. 2013, 52, 12077-12080.
D.E. Przybyla, C.M. Rubert Pérez, J. Gleaton, V. Nandwana, J. Chmielewski, “Hierarchical Assembly of Collagen Peptide Triple Helices into Curved Disks and Metal Ion-promoted Hollow Spheres.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 3418-3422
C.M. Rubert Pérez, D. Lopez-Pérez, J. Chmielewski, M. Lipton, “Small Molecule Oligomerization Inhibitors of Anthrax Protective Antigen.” Chem. Biol. Drug. Des. 2012, 79, 260-269.
C.M. Rubert Pérez, A. Panitch, J. Chmielewski, “A Collagen Peptide-based Physical Hydrogel for Cell Encapsulation.” Macromol. Biosci. 2011, 11, 1426-1431.
Professional Society Memberships
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- American Peptide Society (APS)