Objective The study of synthetic molecular networks is of fundamental importance for understanding the organizational principles of biological systems and may well be the key to unraveling the origins of life. In addition, such systems may be useful for parallel synthesis of molecules, implementation of catalysis via multi-step pathways, and as media for various applications in nano-medicine and nano-electronics. We have been involved recently in developing peptide-based replicating networks and revealed their dynamic characteristics. We argue here that the structural information embedded in the polypeptide chains is sufficiently rich to allow the construction of peptide 'Systems Chemistry', namely, to facilitate the use of replicating networks as cell-mimetics, featuring complex dynamic behavior. To bring this novel idea to reality, we plan to take a unique holistic approach by studying such networks both experimentally and via simulations, for elucidating basic-principles and towards applications in adjacent fields, such as molecular electronics. Towards realizing these aims, we will study three separate but inter-related objectives: (i) design and characterization of networks that react and rewire in response to external triggers, such as light, (ii) design of networks that operate via new dynamic rules of product formation that lead to oscillations, and (iii) exploitation of the molecular information gathered from the networks as means to control switching and gating in molecular electronic devices. We believe that achieving the project's objectives will be highly significant for the development of the arising field of Systems Chemistry, and in addition will provide valuable tools for studying related scientific fields, such as systems biology and molecular electronics. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesmedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologynanomedicinenatural scienceschemical sciencescatalysisengineering and technologynanotechnologynanoelectronics 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) Topic(s) ERC-SG-PE5 - ERC Starting Grant - Materials and Synthesis Call for proposal ERC-2010-StG_20091028 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Host institution BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV EU contribution € 1 500 000,00 Address . 84105 Beer Sheva Israel See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Daphna Tripto (Ms.) Principal investigator Gonen Ashkenasy (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV Israel EU contribution € 1 500 000,00 Address . 84105 Beer Sheva See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Daphna Tripto (Ms.) Principal investigator Gonen Ashkenasy (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data