Objectif Passive transport through lipid membranes is ubiquitous and fundamental in living systems. The aim of this proposal is to create novel biotechnological tools to study permeation of organic compounds through lipid membranes and protein pores. In particular, I will focus on strategies employed by living organisms to optimize and regulate permeation directly through their membranes. The fundamental principles are probed by creating macroscopic model systems for biological channels and membranes. Simultaneously, new microfluidic tools will allow for a screening of biological relevant organic compounds.Biotechnological experiments investigating permeation of organic molecules into single uni-lamellar vesicles will challenge the dogma of protein controlled membranes transport. Indole, an important signaling molecule for E. coli, is an ideal candidate to demonstrate the feasibility of a novel assay based on a combination of four technologies. Microfluidics provide the controlled environment, holographic optical tweezers confine single vesicles in three dimensions to facilitate ionic current detection and simultaneous auto-fluorescence detection. This unique combination will yield a scalable technology platform to test membrane permeation. However, a deeper understanding of the molecular basis for these passive transport processes is still elusive. Theory predicts that binding potentials for molecules in a protein channel, passive transport can be optimized. Combining microfluidics with holographic optical tweezers provides the optimal means to test this quantitatively. These model experiments will prove that passive transport can be enhanced and optimized by introducing binding sites in protein channels and membranes. Furthermore, the results will guide future design of e.g. antibiotics, DNA vaccines and membrane permeating drugs and fundamentally change our understanding of passive membrane transport. Champ scientifique natural sciencesphysical sciencesclassical mechanicsfluid mechanicsmicrofluidicsnatural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistrynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculeslipids Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Thème(s) ERC-SG-LS9 - ERC Starting Grant - Applied life sciences and biotechnology Appel à propositions ERC-2010-StG_20091118 Voir d’autres projets de cet appel Régime de financement ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Institution d’accueil THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Contribution de l’UE € 1 193 758,80 Adresse TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS CB2 1TN Cambridge Royaume-Uni Voir sur la carte Région East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Contact administratif Renata Schaeffer (Ms.) Chercheur principal Ulrich Felix Keyser (Dr.) Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Coût total Aucune donnée Bénéficiaires (1) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution de l’UE Tout développer Tout réduire THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Royaume-Uni Contribution de l’UE € 1 193 758,80 Adresse TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS CB2 1TN Cambridge Voir sur la carte Région East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Contact administratif Renata Schaeffer (Ms.) Chercheur principal Ulrich Felix Keyser (Dr.) Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Coût total Aucune donnée
