| NSF Org: | CHE Division Of Chemistry |
| Recipient: | |
| Initial Amendment Date: | August 12, 2004 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | December 13, 2006 |
| Award Number: | 0434507 |
| Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
| Program Manager: | Katharine Covert kcovert@nsf.gov (703)292-4950 CHE Division Of Chemistry MPS Direct For Mathematical & Physical Scien |
| Start Date: | September 1, 2004 |
| End Date: | August 31, 2007 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $0.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $1,500,000.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: | FY 2006 = $500,000.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: | 55 FRUIT ST BOSTON MA US 02114-2621 (857)282-1670 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: | |
| Primary Place of Performance: | 55 FRUIT ST BOSTON MA US 02114-2621 |
| Primary Place of Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): | |
| Parent UEI: | |
| NSF Program(s): | OFFICE OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY AC, CHEMISTRY PROJECTS |
| Primary Program Source: | |
| Program Reference Code(s): | |
| Program Element Code(s): | |
| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.049 |
ABSTRACT
With this Chemical Bonding Center (CBC) Phase I, Step II award, the Division of Chemistry and the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate jointly support the research of Jack W. Szostak, of Massachusetts General Hospital, Steven A. Benner, of the University of Florida, and Gerald F. Joyce, of the Scripps Research Institute. This CBC will pursue the long-term goal of synthesizing artificial chemical systems that will exhibit Darwinian evolution. In phase I of the project, a combination of molecular design and laboratory selection will be used to generate RNA-like structures that undergo self-reproduction with heritable mutation. The CBC will utilize the synthetic organic skills of Benner, the expertise in RNA-like systems of Joyce, and the experience of Szostak in the design of in vitro evolution experiments in this highly collaborative endeavor. The synthesis of Darwinian chemical systems will form the basis of a synthetic biology that has the potential of constructing self-replicating systems using the tools of preparative chemistry. This program at the interface of chemistry and biology will provide broad interdisciplinary training for students and is expected to capture the imagination of the public.
Chemical Bonding Centers are designed to focus innovative collaborative efforts that address a "big problem" which will lead to a major advance in chemistry or at the interface of chemistry and other sciences and will have the potential to attract broad scientific and public interest.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
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