Objective
Recent years have seen the discovery and development of progressively larger soluble metal-organic capsules. Although the largest of these now possess sufficiently large volumes to accommodate small proteins and other biomacromolecules, the structures of the largest capsules so far reported are inherently porous, which means that binding cargoes inside requires covalent tethering to the cage framework. This requirement limits the range of potential guest species and alters their conformations. This project will build upon our successes in binding small biomolecules, and our recent preparation of larger, enclosed cages, to prepare novel capsules that will be the largest discrete such structures yet prepared. These cages will be designed to possess three key features to enable the encapsulation of a wide range of biomolecules. Firstly, they will be designed to be soluble and stable in water. Secondly, they will possess a sufficient degree of surface enclosure to enable extensive contact between cage panels and lipophilic biomolecule surfaces. Thirdly, complementary charges and specific interactions will be built into capsule interiors, with specific biomolecular targets in mind. New mechanisms will be developed for the capsule interiors to dynamically adapt, enabling them to optimize their inner surfaces for binding to a specific cargo, and to reversibly shrink and expand, allowing cargoes to be bound and ejected as part of a chemical purification cycle. Encapsulated proteins will not have a preferred surface orientation, potentially enabling their structures to be solved using cryo-EM. Our tightly woven capsules may enable enzymes to function under conditions where they may not ordinarily be soluble or active. The knotted topologies of some of our targets, which will enable them to expand and shrink reversibly, will also be the most complex yet prepared synthetically.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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 - HORIZON ERC 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-ADG
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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.
CB2 1TN CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom
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.