Investigation into polymer lipid particles containing G-protein coupled receptors as a tool to drug discovery and drug detection

Drug discovery and development based on G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) could be streamlined by efficient use of polymer lipid particles (PoLiPa). The aim of this project is to investigate new polymers that can be used to make PoLiPa in order to prepare purified and stable G-protein coupled receptors GPCRs. Many techniques important for determining GPCR structure, binding properties and biophysical characteristics become possible after producing PoLiPas containing GPCRs. This includes surface plasmon resonance (SPR); cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM); microscale thermophoresis (MST); Mass Spectrometry (MS) and Dynamic Light scattering (DLS). The predicted outcome of the project is assessment of the effectiveness of different alternative polymers to PoLiPa on 3-4 different techniques important in drug discovery for 3 different GPCRs. This will allow more effective use of PoliPas for testing a wider range of GPCRs. Testing the techniques on different PoliPas may provide key information on GPCRs interact with other proteins, lipids and molecules which could be useful in developing a new drug.