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Professor, Polymer Chemistry
E-mail: telong@vt.edu
Office: 2110 Hahn Hall
Phone: 540-231-2480
Fax: 540-231-8517
Group Web Pages: http://www.chem.vt.edu/chem-dept/tlong/
Education
B.S. 1983 St. Bonaventure University
Ph.D. 1987 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Research Interests
Research efforts are focused on the synthesis and characterization of
novel macromolecules for diverse applications, ranging from biology to
materials and devices (electromechanical devices). A range of synthetic
techniques are utilized to create these macromolecules, including living
polymerization techniques (living radical, anionic) and step growth
techniques (melt polyesterification, polyurethanes).
Non-covalent chemistry, the foundation for supramolecular chemistry,
is an area of great interest in our group. The hydrogen bonding between
nucleobases in the DNA double helix, which is responsible for holding the
strands together despite repulsive electrostatic interactions between the
phosphate ester backbones provides and inspiration for supramolecular chemistry.
Investigations into the synthesis of nucleobase containing block copolymers
have enabled the attachment of ionic guest molecules and compatibilization of
complementary block copolymers.
Studying the effect of polycation topology (linear vs. branched)
on gene transfection has been an area of interest for our research group lately.
Gene transfection is an important new technique for the treatment of genetic
diseases. We have investigated the formation of polyplexes and transfection
of plasmid DNA into human brain microendothelial cells using the branched
poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate).
Selected Publications
- McKee, M. G.; Layman, J. M.; Cashion, M. P.; Long, T. E. Phospholipid Nonwoven
Electrospun Membranes. Science (Washington, DC, United States) (2006),
311(5759), 353-355.
- Karikari, Afia S.; Edwards, Wesleigh F.; Mecham, Jeffrey B.; Long, Timothy
E. Influence of peripheral hydrogen bonding on the mechanical properties of
photo-cross-linked star- shaped poly(D,L-lactide) networks. Biomacromolecules
(2005), 6(5), 2866-2874.
- Unal, Serkan; Lin, Qin; Mourey, Thomas H.; Long, Timothy E. Tailoring the
degree of branching: Preparation of poly(ether ester)s via copolymerization
of polyethylene glycol oligomers (A2) and 1,3,5-benzenetricarbonyl trichloride
(B3). Macromolecules (2005), 38(8), 3246-3254.
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