Selenoamino acids and the development of biomaterials responsive to reactive oxygen species (ROS)

Abstract

Oxidative stress is a common biol. effect resulting from the imbalance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated and depleted in living organisms. This disruption in oxidative species can result in widespread cellular damage with systematic physiol. consequences often assocd. with tissue injury and disease. Herein, we describe methodol. that takes advantage of the unique reactivity of selenium-based amino acids to undergo oxidative elimination to form alkenes and subsequent conjugate addn. with thiols. We exploit this reactivity to develop elastin-based biomaterials that are responsive to reactive oxygen species. We demonstrate this transformation in cross-linked gels and hydrogels, and discuss its application in ROS dosimetry and drug delivery. This research outlines a strategy by our lab. to utilize artificial amino acids to introduce novel reactivity and structural properties in proteins.The oxidn. of selenium compds. to promote unique reactivity in biomaterials serves as a platform for my future research interests in introducing small, oxidized mols. (i.e. SO2 and CO2) into org. mols. This ongoing work compliments my previous research experience in metal catalysis and mechanism. An aspect of my future research will focus on the development of green strategies using metal catalysis to convert biomaterials such as lignin and cellulose to common energy and industrial feedstocks.