Study of the Peptide-Peptide and Peptide-Protein Interactions and Their Applications in Cell Imaging and Nanoparticle Surface Modification

This thesis focuses on the study of interactions between protein and peptides and their potential applications in cell imaging and nanoparticle surface modification. Drawing inspiration from naturally occurring coiled-coil binding pairs, it proposes a novel covalent peptide tag and probe system, based on the concept of affinity guided covalent conjugation. This newly established methodology provides complementary resolution to protein labeling, imaging and trafficking. By systematically investigating the coordination interaction between protein and quantum dots using various engineered protein ligands, this thesis proposes a general rule for protein self-assembly on the surface of quantum dots and reports a revolutionized nanobelt protein in accordance with this rule. It is an extraordinary example of interdisciplinary research, providing answers to real-life biological problems from a chemistry perspective.

Nominated by the Chinese University of Hong Kong as an outstanding Ph.D. thesis Systematically elucidates a self-developed labeling method of covalent protein conjugation Reports a novel anti-fungus peptide drug design and revolution Introduces the secondary-structure-based binding effects of proteins on quantum dots Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Inhalt
Introduction.- Biological Active Antifungal Peptides.- Protein Ligands Engineering.- Coiled Coil Binding Induced Covalent Cross-linking.- Cell Surface Receptor Labeling.- Summary and Conclusion.