TOWARDS AN UNDERSTANDING OF [[beta]]-SHEET STRUCTURE. Jeffery W. Kelly, Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3255

The design, synthesis and characterization of several beta-sheet based peptidomimetics will be outlined, focusing on the goal of understanding the folding and stability of -sheet structure. Our current understanding of both intramolecular and intermolecular beta-sheet formation will be discussed. The ability to promote folding in small peptides, which typically adopt an ensemble of conformations in aqueous solution, is important for understanding the early intermediates in protein folding and has practical applications in medicinal chemistry and materials science which will be outlined.