Hybrid Bio-Nano Materials for Artificial Enzyme Design
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
Abstract
Chemical strategies are developed to design mimics of natural, cofactor containing enzymes in order to make them more robust but also to explore the activity enhancement and biomedical applications. To achieve this, modified dopamine is synthesised either to contain flavin or photo-click functional groups to enable further modification. Such dopamine derivatives can either be used for preparation of biopolymeric nanoparticles through dopamine polymerisation or used for nanoparticle (NP) coating. The latter is particularly interesting to enable design of N- based enzymes in which copper or CeO2 NP act as active catalytic centres through externally induced production of reactive oxygen species.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Ljiljana Fruk (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Leander Crocker (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509620/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2022 | |||
| 1945802 | Studentship | EP/N509620/1 | 01/01/2017 | 30/09/2020 | Leander Crocker |
| Description | We have developed a nanostructured light activated catalyst that is derived from natural components, showing the ability to catalyse both oxidation and reduction reactions. These reactions were specific to natural enzymes and in particular, the reduction reactions catalysed by the nanostructured photocatalyst were achieved with an enantiomeric excess, a feature that is widely sought after in the pharmaceutical industry for drug targets. We hope to further develop our methodology by introducing more robust nanoparticle elements due to some instability with our initial design. However, thanks to its natural make-up, it has been shown to be biocompatible through in vitro studies and we hope it will have future applications within chemical/energy sectors to aide greener water splitting photocatalysis. In the dark, the material has the potential to be applied in medicinal fields as a drug carrier or antioxidant. |
| Exploitation Route | See above |
| Sectors | Chemicals,Electronics,Energy,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | BBC1 Naked scientist Question time guest |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Ljiljana Fruk joined a group of Panelist to answer the questions from the listeners concerning chemistry, nanotechnology and nano medicine in BB1 Naked scientist question time |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/naked-scientists-podcast/extremely-curious-qna |
| Description | Cambridge Philosophical Society invited lecture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Cambridge Philosophical Society talks are aimed at general public and the member of the University of Cambridge, and the lecturers are invited based on their expertise and ability to engage audiences with their chosen topic. The topic was Modern Molecular Science and how is it changing our life. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.cambridgephilosophicalsociety.org/lectures-visits/modern-molecular-science-and-how-it-ch... |
| Description | Conference to celebrate the international day of Women and Girls in Science |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The online conference was organised by ICESCO (Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) and live-streamed from Marocco. The guests included high-ranking politicians, prominent scientists including Nobel price winners and policymakers. It was aimed at the celebration of the international day of Women and girls in science and it was streamed globally reaching audiences from all over the world, and it was organised in collaboration with Leibnitz Association (Germany) and Space Foundation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.icesco.org/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/12/Celebration-of-the-International-Day-of... |
| Description | Science Festival talk on Molecules that Changed the World |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk at the Science festival concerning Molecules that Changed our world for high school visiting Department during the Science Festival open day. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.ceb.cam.ac.uk/news/events/science-festival-at-ceb |