| Self assembling systems on the nanometer scale afford the advantage of being able to control submicron level events. In this study, we focus on the self-assembling polypeptide nanoparticles (SAPN). The SAPN scaffold is made up of oligomerizing domains that align along the principle rotational axes of icosahedral symmetry. By aligning them along these axes, a particle with spherical geometry can be achieved. This particle can be utilized as a vaccine, as a drug delivery vehicle, or as a biomedical imaging device.;This research will try to answer why the SAPN self-assembles into distinct molecular weight ranges while mostly maintaining a spherical morphology. The first means will be theoretical and computational, where we will utilize a mathematical formalism to find out how the packing of SAPN's monomeric units can occur within symmetric space. Then molecular dynamics will be run within this symmetric space to test the per amino acid residue susceptibility of SAPN towards becoming polymorphic in nature.;Means for examining the aggregation propensity of SAPN will be also be tested. Specifically, the relationship of different sequences of SAPN with pH will be elucidated. Co-assembly of SAPN to reduce the surface density of an aggregation prone epitope will be tested. Also, aggregation reduction consisting of the exchange of an anionic denaturant with a positively charged suppressor in order to mitigate a priori peptide association and misfolding, will also be attempted.;SAPN has been shown to be an immunogenic platform for the presentation of pathogen derived antigens. We will attempt to show the efficacy of presenting an antigen from HIV-1 which is structurally restrained to best match the native conformation on the virus. Immunological studies will be performed to test the effect of this approach, as well testing the antigenicity of the nanoparticle in the absence of adjuvant.;Finally, the antigen presenting nanoparticles will undergo formulation testing, to measure the feasibility of SAPN for lyophilization. The regular buffers for refolding will be optimized, or replaced, in order to enhance the formation of a uniform powder, one that will not enhance the aggregation potential of the peptide species once freeze-drying has occurred. |
