Project description DEENESFRITPL New class of metalloproteins tailored for upconversion luminescence Upconversion, the process by which two photons are converted into a single one having higher energy, has been observed in few materials, most notably those doped with lanthanide ions. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the UCLnProt project plans to design the first of their kind metalloproteins for upconversion. To this end, researchers will combine lanthanide complexes, which demonstrate excellent photophysical properties, with coiled coil scaffolds. These proteins, which are coiled together like the strands of a rope, can selectively bind to different lanthanide ions at defined locations and distances. Project work should help generate a new class of ligands, adding it to the toolbox of lanthanide coordination chemistry. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Herein, we propose to design de novo (“from scratch”) the first upconverting metalloprotein. This will be achieved by exploiting a new class of lanthanide coiled coils (LCC), to generate bimetallic derivatives. These will, for the first time, combine the attractive photophysical properties of Ln complexes, with de novo designed coiled coil scaffolds capable of selectively binding different Ln ions at well-defined and tuneable distances. This programme of work will provide a new strategy for unlocking the full potential of science at the interface of biology and inorganic chemistry, by combining previously unexplored ligands with traditional inorganic complexes, for applications beyond those offered by biology, such as upconversion. The complementary expertise of Dr Borghesani (bioinorganic chemistry and spectroscopy) and the supervisor Dr Peacock (metallopeptide design) offer the unique combination to realise the full potential of multimetallic LCCs, and will, in conjunction with two planned short secondments, provide Dr Borghesani with new and cutting-edge research training. Fields of science natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrybioinorganic chemistrynatural sciencesphysical sciencesquantum physicsquantum optics Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2018 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2018 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM Net EU contribution € 212 933,76 Address Edgbaston B15 2TT Birmingham United Kingdom See on map Region West Midlands (England) West Midlands Birmingham Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 212 933,76
