In the first part of this project, we have synthesized many organic compounds that are able to bind phosphate and other anions. The best results were obtained with compounds with well pre-organised hydrogen bond donors connected to a scaffold which keeps them in the correct position for binding the phosphate. On the other hand, some flexibility in the compounds was required for the most effective binding.
In the second part of the project, we have tested if these compounds could transport phosphate and other anions. Unfortunately, many were not good in transporting anions, and we found out that this was because they were binding strongly to the phosphate groups in the lipids. Some other compounds were very good transporters for chloride anions, but not for phosphate. Only the compounds that could most efficiently encapsulate phosphate anions were successful in transporting phosphate. To find this out, we had to develop the required methods, as no reports on the transport of phosphate into liposomes were existing. We have managed to do this successfully using emissive probes prepared at Loughborough university , which could selectively sense different anions, including nucleotides and phosphate. Encapsulating these probes in liposomes resulted in the required methodology, which can also be used to study bicarbonate and fluoride transport.
Thirdly, we have explored applications for our transporters in (synthetic) cells.
The results of this project were shared in 19 scientific publications (and several more are being prepared) and in at least 56 contributions to international and national conferences, such as the International Symposium on Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry (ISMSC), the International Symposium on Transmembrane Transporters, the international Calixarene conference, the European Symposium on Organic Chemistry (ESOC), the EuChemS Chemistry Congress, the RSC Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry Meeting MASC), the Merck Organic Chemistry Symposium, and many more. Short research updates were also shared via social media.
