Stimulus-Responsive Dynamic Foldamers as Molecular Communication Devices

生物通过构象变化来传递信息，该项目的目标是设计和合成人工模拟的生物交流系统，如负责嗅觉、味觉和视觉的系统。这些模拟将基于新的动态折叠分子(在溶液中折叠成构象有序状态的链状分子)。学生将开发具有可逆手性或极性的新型折叠体的合成路线，并设计通过调节这些分子的环境，如pH变化和可见光/紫外光照射来诱导其构象变化的方法。学生还将开发合成路线，以获得与所述折叠体结合的新型配体。特别是，学生将寻求将新型波长相关光酸(可见光照射后变得更酸性的分子)的使用与动态折叠体结合起来。学生将使用CD(圆二色谱)和核磁共振(核磁共振)光谱等常用分析技术来监测构象信息的传输。据我们所知，利用光诱导的pH变化，随后诱导折叠分子的构象变化，是一个全新的概念。这类系统最终可用作人造细胞(如人工“嗅觉/味觉感受器”或“光传感器”)中的跨膜通讯装置。与EPSRC相关的研究领域包括：分析科学、合成生物学、合成配位/有机/超分子化学。

Biology communicates information by means of conformational change, and the aim of this project is to design and synthesise artificial mimics of biological communication systems, such as those responsible for smell, taste and vision. These mimics will be based on new classes of dynamic foldamers (chain-like molecules that fold into a conformationally ordered state in solution.) The student will develop synthetic routes to novel foldamers with reversible chirality or polarity, and devise methods for inducing conformational change in these molecules by modulation of their environment, such as pH change and visible/UV light irradiation. The student will also develop synthetic routes to novel ligands which are designed to bind with said foldamers.In particular, the student will look to combine the use of novel wavelength-dependent photoacids (molecules that become more acidic upon irradiation with visible light) with dynamic foldamers. The student will monitor the transmission of conformational information using common analytical techniques such as CD (circular dichroism) and NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy.To the best of our knowledge, the use of light-induced pH change, to subsequently induce conformational change in foldamers, is an entirely novel concept. Such systems could ultimately be utilised as trans-membrane communication devices in artificial cells (e.g. artificial "smell/taste receptors" or "light sensors") Relevant EPSRC research areas: Analytical science, Synthetic biology, Synthetic coordination/organic/supramolecular chemistry.