Artifical Signal Transduction
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
This programme will develop intelligent vesicles that are bounded by a functionalised lipid bilayer membrane and that are capable of chemical signal transduction and amplification. A molecular recognition event on the external surface of the membrane will release a chemical messenger into the internal fluid of the vesicle. This messenger will be used to activate a catalyst, resulting in massive signal amplification. Due to the compartmentalisation afforded by the bilayer membrane, the molecular recognition and signal amplification events will be entirely separated, facilitating the modular development of a range of intelligent colloids for imaging, sensing and drug release applications. The project will involve chemical synthesis of signalling molecules, construction of vesicle assemblies and studies of their chemistry.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Christopher Hunter (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Yudi Ding (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509620/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2022 | |||
| 1800477 | Studentship | EP/N509620/1 | 01/10/2016 | 31/10/2019 | Yudi Ding |
| Description | I have been focusing on expanding the current artificial signal transduction model into a more biological system by using a ligand-protein binding event. The target transducer molecules have been synthesized and their catalytical properties in the artificial vesicles have been examined. They were less efficient than the previously reported molecule, but nonetheless showed their ability to respond to the relevant external stimuli. Various techniques have been used to verify the binding events. |
| Exploitation Route | These findings extended the scope of this artificial signalling methodology from purely synthetic assemblies into more sophisticated biological systems, which open up the potential for future development of intelligent re-sponsive vesicles in bio-nanotechnology. |
| Sectors | Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |