BS, University of Washington PhD, University of California, Berkeley DuPont Young Professor Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, Northwestern University Beckman Young Investigator Award NIH-NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, San Francisco Dow Award for Excellence in Teaching, University of California, Berkeley Folding and self-assembling peptide mimics; Novel approaches to DNA sequencing by microchannel electrophoresis.

Dr. Barron has moved: she is now a member of the faculty at Stanford University in Stanford, CA.

Research Group Web Site

Folding and Self-Assembling Biomimetic Heteropolymers

We are working on the design, synthesis, and biophysical characterization of foldable and self-assembling peptide mimics. Biopolymers, particularly proteins, are a rich, diverse model system from which we can infer fundamental biophysical rules for folding and self-assembly and apply these rules to the design of non-natural heteropolymeric 'foldamers.' Our motivation for these studies is two-fold. First, we hope to attain a better understanding of the extent of generality of the "protein folding" paradigm, by asking the question, "Can any well-designed chain molecule that has a specific sequence and chain length adopt an ordered three-dimensional conformation?" Second, as bioengineers, we are investigating the application of non-natural foldamers as biostable therapeutics. Our current research efforts focus on a class of peptide mimics called poly-N-substituted glycines, or peptoids. We use a simple, automated solid-phase protocol to synthesize sequence-specific polypeptoids, incorporating chemically-diverse sidechains (including the proteinogenic sidechains). Some peptoid sequences are capable of forming stable helical architectures in solution that are similar to those attained by polyproline molecules. We are studying these peptoid foldamers in the Keck Facility by many of the same biophysical methods used to characterize folded structure in natural proteins.

Novel Approaches to Microchannel Sequencing of DNA

DNA electrophoresis is a technique of immense practical importance in molecular biological and biomedical research. With funding from the Human Genome Project, my research group is working to invent new strategies and materials for application to DNA sequencing by capillary electrophoresis (CE) as well as by microchip electrophoresis. In comparison to slab gels, miniaturized electrophoretic devices provide analytical DNA separations (such as DNA sequencing and genotyping) that are much faster, more efficient, and automatable. One current focus is the development of DNA separation matrices that exhibit a temperature-controlled 'viscosity switch' that allows rapid microchannel loading as well as high-resolution DNA sequencing separations. Another subset of the group is working to develop a new DNA sequencing method, End-Labeled Free-Solution Electrophoresis, that is carried out in free solution, without the use of a gel or separation matrix at all.

Selected publications:

J.A. Patch, A.E. Barron, 'Helical peptoid mimics of magainin-2 amide,' J. Am. Chem. Soc. (Communication) (2003), 125, 12092-12093.

C.W. Wu, K. Kirshenbaum, T.J. Sanborn, J.A. Patch, K. Huang, K.A. Dill, R.N. Zuckermann, A.E. Barron, 'Structural and spectroscopic studies of peptoid oligomers with alpha-chiral, aliphatic side chains,' Journal of the American Chemical Society (2003), 125, 13525-13530.

C.W. Wu; S.L. Seurynck; K.Y.C. Lee; A.E. Barron, 'Helical Peptoid Mimics of Lung Surfactant Protein C,' Chemistry & Biology (2003), 10(11), 1057-1063.

E. A. S. Doherty, C. W. Kan, A. E. Barron, 'Sparsely cross-linked "nanogels" for microchannel DNA sequencing,' Electrophoresis (2003), 24, 4170-4180.

C.W. Kan, E.A.S. Doherty, A.E. Barron, 'A novel thermogelling matrix for microchannel DNA sequencing based on poly-N-alkoxyalkylacrylamide copolymers,' Electrophoresis (2003), 24, 4161-4169.

C.W. Kan, A.E. Barron, 'A DNA separation matrix with thermally tunable mesh size,' Electrophoresis (2003), 24, 55-62.

W.N. Vreeland, G.W. Slater, A.E. Barron, 'Profiling solid-phase synthesis products by free-solution conjugate capillary electrophoresis,' Bioconjugate Chem. (2002), 13, 663-670.

Prof. Annelise Barron
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Northwestern University
2145 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208-3120

tel: 847/491-2778
fax: 847/491-3728
E-mail Professor Barron