Dynamic Control of the Binding of Neutral Biomolecules

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This grant from the Organic Dynamics Program supports the work of Professor Smith at the University of Notre Dame to study methods to regulate the binding of small (amino acids, nucleosides, saccharides) and large (enzymes, glocoproteins) biomolecules to abiotic, boronic acid-based receptors by two avenues. The first involves the synthesis and study of a series of boronic acid crown ether molecules designed to heterotopically bind and cotransport water-soluble diol-ligands and metal cations across lipophilic membranes. This approach is based on ionic strength controlled binding. The second approach involves photoswitchable receptors and is based on the photochemically controlled binding of the biomolecules. The synthetic receptors will be lipophilic, photoswitchable boronic acid azobenzenediol carrier molecules which will also be explored as light-powered transmembrane proton pumps. %%% In this project Professor Smith will investigate methods of regulating the binding of various types of biological ligands to abiotic, boronic acid-based receptors. Both ionic strength controlled and light controlled binding methods will be investigated. In the ionic based method the binding to the heterotopic receptors is controlled by metal ions, while the light controlled method involves photoswitchable receptors. This research may have technological applications such as (bio)chemical purification devices, carriers for transport through lipophilic membranes, and controlled release materials.