Project description DEENESFRITPL Engineering of functional protein assemblies is about to get easier The strong covalent bonds formed when atoms share electrons are the glue that holds together diatomic gases like hydrogen or oxygen, water molecules, and even very large molecules like strands of DNA. However, weaker intermolecular interactions are also critically important in formation of supramolecular structures, among which are protein assemblies with their complex 3D architectures. Nature-mimetic protein assemblies are gaining attention for applications in drug delivery and molecular diagnostics among others, but better control is required to ensure precision supramolecular engineering. The EU-funded ASSEMBLY project is developing tools to do this using a well-known class of molecules that act as molecular containers, binding guest molecules in their hydrophobic cavities. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Many supramolecular systems have been inspired by nature, but the number of supramolecular systems that are truly functional in water at the low concentrations required for biomolecular studies are very limited. Cucurbiturils are one of a few select supramolecular systems that show great promise for the modulation of protein assemblies in biologically relevant media, but they require better means to control homo- and heterodimerization. In order to effect strong and selective heterodimerization I will design and synthesize a wide range of complementary guest pairs, using chemical and electronic concepts such as π-π stacking and electronic donor−acceptor pairs. After testing these on the cucurbituril host-guest system, they will be assessed on heterodimeric protein assemblies such as split luciferase. As many biological processes require multimeric protein assemblies, I will develop novel supramolecular constructs to gain control over the formation of such assemblies. By constructing protein-coupled cucurbiturils and developing novel double cucurbituril systems, trimeric and tetrameric protein assemblies will be assessable. Development of these advanced supramolecular tools is crucial in order to access synthetic signaling platforms with potential for molecular diagnostics. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins Keywords Chemical Biology Cucurbituril host-guest chemistry Protein assembly 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 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT EINDHOVEN Net EU contribution € 175 572,48 Address Groene loper 3 5612 AE Eindhoven Netherlands See on map Region Zuid-Nederland Noord-Brabant Zuidoost-Noord-Brabant 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 Other funding € 0,00
