Objective Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) is the most successful and widely applied controlled radical polymerization process and has emerged as one of the most powerful synthetic techniques in polymer science. Chain termination reactions are suppressed and the growth of the chains proceeds in a controlled way. It allows precise control of the polymer’s molecular weight, achieving a narrow molecular weight distribution and synthesis of polymers with complex molecular architectures, such as block copolymers. However, the major drawback of ATRP is the residual toxic copper ions found in the final polymer products. I propose to investigate protein-based catalysts for the mediation of ATRP. The methodology developed during my Marie Curie fellowship, the conjugation of appropriate ligands to defined sites on protein surfaces, will be used. ATRP catalysts will be obtained in which the active complex is encapsulated in a cage like protein nanoreactor, or where the catalyst is exposed on the surface of fluorescent proteins. The nanoreactors will be explored to synthesize individual amphiphilic block copolymer chains in a hydrophilic nanocompartment. This system allows studying the folding of individual amphiphilic block copolymer chains. On the other hand, fluorescent proteins will be explored as efficient means to remove copper from the polymerization solution, and to monitor such removal by observing the location of fluorescence. With this system, homo and block copolymers will be synthesized that are acceptable for application in biomedical and food-grade applications because of their low copper ion content. Last but not least, naturally occurring metalloproteins, such as hemoglobin, peroxidase and cytochromes, will be explored as ATRP catalysts in aqueous and in nonaqueous solutions. As these proteins are non-toxic and available in large quantities, they could become the ATRP catalysts of the future. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsnatural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciencesnatural scienceschemical sciencescatalysis Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG - Marie Curie Action: "Reintegration Grants" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-ERG - European Re-integration Grants (ERG) Coordinator UNIVERSITAT BASEL Address Petersplatz 1 4051 Basel Switzerland See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Nordwestschweiz Basel-Stadt Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Wolfgang Meier (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data
