A new family of synthetic carbohydrate receptors

The design of synthetic carbohydrate receptors is exceptionally challenging because of the hydrophilicity of these substrates. This project is based on the recent discovery of a family of receptors with surprising strength and selectivity. The research will be aimed at developing applications of these receptors as well as extending their scope. Potential applications include glucose sensing and glucose-responsive insulin, relevant to the treatment of diabetics, while variations in structure may lead to systems addressing a wider range of targets.