Detection of carbon monoxide in living cells using surface-functionalised mesoporous materials

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an endogenous gaseous signalling molecule, and a low dosage has been linked to therapeutic benefits such as response to diseases and inflammation. The aim of the project is to design a highly selective probe capable of sensing CO in biological cells as the major challenges today are poor selectivity and sensitivity.

A new family of gated silica-based materials with metal surface units will be developed. Sensing can be achieved through a dramatic colour change and an increase in fluorescence; quench and trap a 'cargo' of fluorophores within the mesoporous silica with metal complexes attached to the surfaces acting as 'gates', which will detach themselves in the presence of CO allowing the fluorophore to be released. This produces a significant fluorescence response on exposure to the low concentrations of CO in cells. Through dose/response testing, the fluorescence observed will be correlated to cellular CO concentrations.

The production and processing of materials accounts for 15% of UK GDP and generates exports valued at £50bn annually, with UK materials related industries having a turnover of £197bn/year. It is, therefore, clear that the success of the UK economy is linked to the success of high value materials manufacturing, spanning a broad range of industrial sectors. In order to remain competitive and innovate in these sectors it is necessary to understand fundamental properties and critical processes at a range of length scales and dynamically and link these to the materials' performance. It is in this underpinning space that the CDT-ACM fits.

The impact of the CDT will be wide reaching, encompassing all organisations who research, manufacture or use advanced materials in sectors ranging from energy and transport to healthcare and the environment. Industry will benefit from the supply of highly skilled research scientists and engineers with the training necessary to advance materials development in all of these crucial areas. UK and international research facilities (Diamond, ISIS, ILL etc.) will benefit greatly from the supply of trained researchers who have both in-depth knowledge of advanced characterisation techniques and a broad understanding of materials and their properties. UK academia will benefit from a pipeline of researchers trained in state-of the art techniques in world leading research groups, who will be in prime positions to win prestigious fellowships and lectureships. From a broader perspective, society in general will benefit from the range of planned outreach activities, such as the Mary Rose Trust, the Royal Society Summer Exhibition and visits to schools. These activities will both inform the general public and inspire the next generation of scientists.

The cohort based training offered by the CDT-ACM will provide the next generation of research scientists and engineers who will pioneer new research techniques, design new multi-instrument workflows and advance our knowledge in diverse fields. We will produce 70 highly qualified and skilled researchers who will support the development of new technologies, in for instance the field of electric vehicles, an area of direct relevance to the UK industrial impact strategy.
In summary, the CDT will address a skills gap that has arisen through the rapid development of new characterisation techniques; therefore, it will have a positive impact on industry, research facilities and academia and, consequently, wider society by consolidating and strengthening UK leadership in this field.