Transfer RNA - Mediated Synthesis of Novel Materials

Misacylated transfer RNA's bearing unusual amino acids will be prepared on a preparative scale and employed in in vitro protein biosynthesizing systems to produce polypeptides containing one or more modified amino acids at predetermined positions. The specific goals of the project include (i) determination of the feasibility of preparing misacylated tRNA's on a preparative scale, (ii) assessment of the technical feasibility of elaboration of polypeptides containing one or more modified amino acids on a preparative scale, (iii) definition and minimization of the costs associated with polypeptide production and purification, and (iv) introduction of amino acid analogs into a protein that alters the connectivity of the polypeptide backbone.