Project description
Chaotropic membrane transport of bioactive molecules
The development of synthetic compounds that transport impermeable bioactive molecules across cell membranes is vital in various fields. Recently, chaotropicity has been used to attract large cluster ions to hydrophobic surfaces. Boron clusters, which are inorganic, water-soluble, and globular, can aid in membrane transport despite their anionic charge. The ERC-funded CARAMEL project will use boron clusters as membrane carriers, moving away from traditional amphiphilic structures to leverage the (super)chaotropic properties of boron cluster anions. The project will establish a new framework for chaotropic membrane transport, conduct systematic screening to explore key physicochemical parameters, develop a predictive model for chaotropic transport based on the cargo, and test functional biomolecular hybrids to demonstrate their therapeutic potential.
Objective
Finding new synthetic compounds that facilitate membrane transport of impermeable bioactive molecules constitutes one of the grand scientific challenges in chemistry, biology, and medicine. Until today, the design principles of artificial transporters have been mainly restricted to membrane-targeting molecules with segregated hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains. We propose a disruptive strategy that uses boron clusters as membrane carriers that abandon the classical amphiphilic topology and exploit the (super)chaotropicity of boron cluster anions. Chaotropicity, historically associated with the salting-in effects of ions on proteins, has only recently been related to the affinity of large cluster ions to hydrophobic surfaces. In comparison to amphiphilic carriers, boron clusters are fully inorganic, highly water-soluble, globular in shape, and induce direct membrane transport despite being anionic in nature. The mere existence of these carriers defies all previous conceptual assumptions and biomimetic design criteria. Here, we introduce a new scenario for chaotropic membrane transport. A new chaotropic strategy will be introduced. A systematic transport screening will be carried out to study the fundamental physicochemical parameters and to generate a cargo-dependent predictive model for covalent chaotropic transport. Functional biomolecular hybrids will be validated to achieve proof-of-principle for the therapeutic potential. This proposal is aimed to fully unfold the potential of the new chaotropic scenario and intended to shake the very foundations of research in membrane transport.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics topology
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-SYG - HORIZON ERC Synergy Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-SyG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
15782 Santiago De Compostela
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.