Biomimetic Molecular Recognition of Carbohydrates and Peptides (B06)

Subject Area Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
Term from 2010 to 2021
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 104405829
 

Project Description

In this project, we have used dynamic covalent chemistry of disulfides to identify biomimetic receptors for carbohydrates. In the next phase, we will pursue three related objectives. First, we will now apply the method of dynamic covalent chemistry to identify receptors for small peptides that operate in aqueous solution. Second, we will optimize our model system for dynamic glycosylation of liposomes. It is our aim to develop liposomes that can be glycosylated within minutes with any (simple) carbohydrate and to investigate the multivalent interaction of the liposomes and lectins. Finally, based on our first results using self-aggregating peptides, it will be our aim to explore if photochemical disulfide exchange can be used more broadly in dynamic covalent chemistry to activate dormant dynamic systems by irradiation. Photocontrol of dynamic chemistry is highly attractive since it offers the opportunity to control the exchange reaction both in time and in space.
DFG Programme Collaborative Research Centres
Subproject of SFB 858:  Synergetic Effects in Chemistry - From Additivity towards Cooperativity
Applicant Institution Universität Münster
Project Head Professor Dr. Bart Jan Ravoo