FUnctional Nucleic Acids as Versatile SMart BUilding BLocks in Non-ConventIonal SolvenTs

Project Information

FUNAMBULIST

Grant agreement ID: 101099652

DOI

10.3030/101099652

Project closed

EC signature date 8 March 2023

Start date 1 May 2023

End date 30 April 2026

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 2 533 255,25

EU contribution

€ 2 533 255,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSIDAD DEL PAIS VASCO/ EUSKAL HERRIKO UNIBERTSITATEA
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FUNAMBULIST (FUnctional Nucleic Acids as Versatile SMart BUilding BLocks in Non-ConventIonal SolvenTs)

Reporting period: 2023-05-01 to 2024-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The main objective of FUNAMBULIST is to create a modular transversal toolkit allowed to control estereoselectivity for fine chemicals synthesis by leveraging the helical chirality of nucleic acids. This is achieved by replacing water with (chiral) ionic liquids or deep eutectic solvents as the bulk solvent. Despite initial hiring challenges, the project is now on track with strong collaboration and coordination among partners.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Objective 1: Achieve semi-preparative scale synthesis of unnatural XNA oligomers.
Successfully introduced biotin and primary amine modifications, key factor to facilitate the further immobilization -and its evaluation- on membranes.

Objective 2: Synthesize sequence-defined polymers and assessed their interaction with model ionic liquids. Initial studies of interactions between sequence-controlled polymers and ionic liquids, finding that their fundamental physico-chemical properties remain unaltered.

Objective 3: Develop a screening method for nucleic acid scaffolds and evaluated bi-molecular systems in ionic liquids. Implemented new microfluidic device designs and hydrogel beads for handling modified DNAs and XNAs.

Objective 4: Synthesized new compounds capable of enhance the catalysis monitoring in the Diels-Alder reaction. Initial studies regarding membrane modification by DNA-scaffolds

Objective 5: Created a Data Management Plan and developed the FUNAMBULIST website as a communication tool. Consortium meetings were carried out and future meetings are planned.

Objective 6: Designed a Quality Management Plan and established efficient document sharing through One-Drive folder created for FUNAMBULIST.
Held regular consortium meetings to monitor progress.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Development of a novel screening method for nucleic acid scaffolds with chemical base modifications, capable of catalyzing reactions.
Innovative microfluidic device designs compatible with the properties of ionic liquids.
Develop of a several sequence-defined polymers that can serve as platform for the membrane.
New fluorescent -and more reactive- compounds were created to control de monitoring of the catalysis.
Initial studies regarding DNA-immobilization over a membrane were carried out.

funamb-logo-300x90.png