Molecular switching in materials and health science applications

材料和健康科学应用中的分子转换

• 批准号: 194262-2006
• 负责人: Branda, Neil
• 金额: $ 4.59万
• 依托单位: Simon Fraser University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2008-01-01 至 2009-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=392440
• 关键词: Molecular; switching; materials; health; science

Research in the Branda group revolves around a central theme - the relationship between structure and function and how, if one can reversibly alter a molecule's structure, one can also control its behaviour in molecule-based devices. The group has made tremendous progress, preparing and studying a wide range of photo- and electroresponsive compounds possessing "made-to-order" properties that can be both tuned and modulated. Efforts are now aimed at integrating these "molecular switches" into important applications. A major focus of our research program will be on developing new photodynamic therapy (PDT) strategies for releasing known therapeutics on command. An alternative to the costly process of discovering new drugs is to improve the effectiveness of existing therapeutics or experimental drugs through novel delivery methods that target only diseased cells. Provided that photoactivated drugs are non-toxic in the dark, PDT can activate a drug at a chosen location by using light triggers, minimizing systemic toxicity. We are developing unprecedented approaches for PDT using photoswitches and are working closely with researchers at Vancouver General Hospital's Prostate Centre to evaluate the effectiveness of our strategies in targeting prostate cancer cells and in autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis (a T-cell mediated skin disorder), atopic dermatitis (eczema), rheumatoid arthritis and nephritic syndrome. Another project aims to develop photoswitches that can act as photodynamic reagents and catalysts and influence the outcome of chemical reactions. This is a relatively unexplored area that can make a tremendous impact on chemical synthesis, catalysis, drug delivery and sensing. Additional research aims to use photoswitches to "lock and release" thermal polymerization reactions, and to develop photoresponsive cyclophanes for selective host-guest complexation.

Branda团队的研究围绕着一个中心主题--结构和功能之间的关系，以及如果一个人可以可逆地改变分子结构，那么他如何也可以控制它在基于分子的设备中的行为。该小组已经取得了巨大的进步，制备和研究了一系列具有光和电响应性的化合物，这些化合物具有可调节和可调制的“定制”特性。现在的目标是将这些“分子开关”集成到重要的应用中。我们研究计划的一个主要重点将是开发新的光动力疗法(PDT)策略，以释放已知的指令疗法。除了昂贵的新药发现过程，另一种选择是通过仅针对患病细胞的新型给药方法来提高现有疗法或实验药物的有效性。如果光激活药物在黑暗中是无毒的，光动力疗法可以通过使用光触发器在选定的位置激活药物，将全身毒性降至最低。我们正在开发使用光开关进行PDT的前所未有的方法，并正在与温哥华总医院前列腺中心的研究人员密切合作，以评估我们的策略在靶向前列腺癌和自身免疫性疾病方面的有效性，这些疾病包括牛皮癣(一种T细胞介导的皮肤病)、特应性皮炎(湿疹)、类风湿性关节炎和肾病综合征。另一个项目旨在开发可以作为光动力试剂和催化剂并影响化学反应结果的光开关。这是一个相对未开发的领域，可以对化学合成、催化、药物输送和传感产生巨大影响。其他研究的目标是使用光开关来“锁定和释放”热聚合反应，并开发用于选择性主客体络合的光响应型环番。