Objective Virus particles are increasingly used as building blocks for composite materials. Surface modification of these biological nanoparticles can be accomplished by genetic engineering and offers the possibility to combine directed evolution of molecular function with the assembly of more complex materials and devices. Virus display systems, especially phage display, have been extensively used for evolving peptides and proteins capable of specific binding to a diverse range of biomacromolecules and inorganic materials. Recently life science approaches emerged using virus particles as substitute antibodies in diagnostic tools. To harvest the full potential in connecting virus display technology with materials, smart fluid handling approaches must be applied allowing to process high numbers of samples. This project is about combining droplet microfluidics, a technology dealing with monodisperse water in oil emulsion droplets, with phage display. The emulsion droplets represent isolated vessels with volumes in the pico- to nanoliter range and can be split, merged, incubated and sorted at high frequency. In addition, hydrogel matrixes will be applied. They serve as scaffold for phage immobilization and allow to transfer the sample from emulsion to an aqueous phase while retaining compartimentalization. The resulting gel beads will be designed as such that proteins can diffuse freely while the phages are immobilized in the matrix. The concept will be applied for directed evolution of enzymes and the development of novel diagnostic tools. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencesclassical mechanicsfluid mechanicsmicrofluidicsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologyvirologyengineering and technologymaterials engineeringcompositesmedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE EU contribution € 180 603,20 Address TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS CB2 1TN Cambridge United Kingdom See on map Region East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Keith Cann (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
