DIRECTIONALLY ALIGNED HELICAL PEPTIDES ON SURFACES

Directionally oriented peptide layers 1000 angstroms thick were constr ucted by polymerization on gold and indium-tin-oxide glass. A key feat ure is the use of an appropriately functionalized surface on which the initiation sites for polymerization are spaced at distances consisten t with the helical diameter of the peptide. Completely helical polyala nine and polyphenylalanine layers have been constructed. The helicity of the polyalanine layer was completely retained after heating at 180- degrees-C for 7 days.