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BioInspired Materials

The Center for Bio-Inspired Nanomaterials at MSU is an multidisciplinary research and education center focused on utilizing our fundamental understanding of the formation and hierarchical construction of biological materials such as viruses, cells, and biominerals (bones, teeth, seashells, etc.). One extension of this fundamental work is the utilization of biological macromolecular assemblies as templates for the construction of novel functional nano-materials. However, the goal of the center is to encompass the study of the wide range of materials, beyond those of biological origin, to achieve unique physical properties by design.

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Contact Us

Montana State University

Division of Graduate Education

Molecular Biosciences Program

P.O. Box 172580
Bozeman, MT 59717-2580

(406) 994-6652 mbprogram@montana.edu

 

Molecular BIOSciences |> BioInspired Materials
|> Faculty |> Mary J. Cloninger, Ph. D

Using Dendrimers to study multivalent biological recognition processes.

Current Research

The overarching objective of our research program is to probe key questions in biological chemistry using the tools of the organic chemist. Currently, a major focus of effort in our program is the use of carbohydrate-functionalized dendrimers to study protein-carbohydrate interactions. Dendrimers are ideal frameworks for the study of multivalent protein-carbohydrate interactions because they are three-dimensionally well defined (compared to linear polymers) and are optimally sized for polyvalent binding to lectins. Most lectins have multiple carbohydrate binding sites that are relatively distant from one another (3-7 nm), so a nanometer-sized framework is required if more than one binding site per lectin is to be targeted.

One major area of emphasis for this research is the study the role of protein-carbohydrate interactions in cancer metastasis. Many reports suggest that cell surface carbohydrates serve a critical function in malignant transformation and metastasis, and so the development of artificial carbohydrate arrays that can aptly mimic and interfere with metastasis is also critical. Our goal is to advance fundamental knowledge regarding the role of protein-carbohydrate and carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions in the metastatic spread of cancer. Concurrently, new therapeutic agents to arrest cancer metastasis may also emerge.

Recent Publications

Wolfenden, M. L.; Cloninger, M. J. "Mannose/glucose-functionalized dendrimers to investigate the predictable tunability of multivalent interactions." J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2005, 127, 12168-12169.

Walter, E. D.; Sebby, K. B.; Usselman, R. J.; Singel, D. J., Cloninger, M. J. "Characterization of Heterogeneously Functionalized Dendrimers by Mass Spectrometry and EPR Spectroscopy" J. Phys. Chem. B. 2005, 109, 21532-21538.

Schlick, K. H.; Udelhoven, R. A.; Strohmeyer, G. C.; Cloninger, M. J. "Binding of Mannose-Functionalized Dendrimers with Pea (Pisum Sativum) Lectin" Mol. Pharm. 2005, 2, 295-301.

Mangold, S. L.; Morgan, J. R.; Strohmeyer, G. C.; Gronenborn, A. M.; Cloninger, M. J. "Cyanovirin-N binding to Mana1-2Man functionalized dendrimers" Org. Biomol. Chem., 2005, 3, 2354-2358.

Morgan, J. R.; Cloninger, M. J. "Synthesis of Carbohydrate-linked Poly(polyoxometalate) PAMAM Dendrimers" J. Polym. Sci. A., Polym. Chem., 2005, 43, 3059-3066.


 
Mary J. Cloninger, Ph. D
Associate Professor
Department
and Center Affiliations
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

CBIN

406-994-3051
Fax: 406-994-5407
mcloninger@chemistry.montana.edu
Montana State University
108 Gaines Hall
Bozeman, MT 59717

Mary J. Cloninger


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Updated: 8/16/08
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