Synthesis of symmetric bifurcated amino acid surfactants

My project focuses on how structure-based predictive tools can investigate and explain the features responsible for self-assembly, function, supramolecular structure, and molecular recognition in bifurcated amino acid-based surfactants (AABSs). Bifurcated amino acid-based surfactants are branched compounds synthesized from natural amino acids and fatty acids. The overall goal of my project is to synthesize bifurcated amino acid-based surfactants and to use proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy to verify the synthesis of these compounds. This project paves way for future studies in critical micelle concentration (CMC), aggregate morphology, and applied studies in pharmaceuticals. This project relates to my degree in biomedical sciences because amino acid-based surfactants increase the bioavailability of pharmaceuticals and can act as drug-delivery agents.