Investigating the Potential Of Polymer-Scaffolded Dynamic Combinatorial Libraries

We propose to develop a new, simple and low-cost method to create wholly synthetic macromolecules which can selectively recognise and bind to target molecules, or catalyse chemical reactions of interest. These macromolecules can be considered as synthetic mimics of proteins, a class of macromolecule found in all living systems which over billions of years have perfected their molecular recognition and catalytic abilities. The proposed approach to developing synthetic protein mimics involves the application of concepts from the emerging field of dynamic combinatorial chemistry, in which building blocks are self-assembled around a template molecule. The special nature of this 'molding' process provides a mechanism for optimising the interactions between the template and receptor, a significant advance over existing methods for designing receptors. The development of an effective method to create 'designer' macromolecules will be of considerable benefit in numerous applications where protein-based technologies are already important. Clinical in vitro diagnostics, for instance, are heavily reliant on sophisticated macromolecular receptors which are often expensive and difficult to produce. Our approach could allow the rapid creation of low-cost synthetic alternatives. Furthermore, our method may be useful in creating new macromolecular catalysts for reactions in which natural or engineered proteins are not efficient or simply not available. Such technology would be immensely important to the pharmaceutical and fine chemicals industries.