D.A. Tomalia, A.M. Naylor, W.A. Goddard III, "Starburst dendrimers: molecular-level control of size, shape, surface chemistry, topology, and flexibility from atoms to macroscopic matter," Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English, 29:138-175, 1990.
Donald A. Tomalia (Michigan Molecular Institute, Midland, Mich.): "It is well known that critical molecular design parameters (CMDPs) such as size, shape, surface chemistry, topology, and flexibility are exquisitely controlled in nature, especially in life processes.
"For example, DNA may be thought of as a one-dimensional, high-aspect ratio template that transmits molecular information through a cascade of intermediates. Ultimately, this genetic (molecular) information becomes translated into one-dimensional protein sequences.
"The size of these proteins is determined by the length of the polypeptide chain, whereas the shape, interior topology, and surfaces result from foldings and convolutions that are determined by the sequence and the side chains of the amino acids. Thus, the initial one-dimensional molecular information coded by the...