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Molecular machine for information reading and catalysis

Project description

Developing molecular machines for information reading

Biological motors are able to perform and control many different complex functions thanks to the conversion of chemical energy into translational and rotational movement at the molecular level. Since 'read-out' tasks can translate information from DNA to RNA and from RNA to encode proteins, they are essential for life. With this in mind, the EU-funded ReadingMachine project aspires to design, construct and explore chemically fuelled linear molecular machines that can actively transport cargo and carry out read-out and other sophisticated tasks. To this end, it will develop [2]rotaxane-based molecular machines for information storage and read-out. This work could lead to an era of useful molecular nanotechnology.

Objective

The conversion of chemical energy into translational and rotational movement at the molecular level enables biological motors to perform and control a wide variety of complex functions. ‘Read-out’ tasks are essential for life as these processes can translate information from DNA to RNA and from RNA to encode proteins.
The ‘ReadingMachine’ project aims to design, construct and investigate chemically fuelled linear molecular machines capable of active transport of cargo, the read-out information and other sophisticated tasks. Specifically, I will develop [2]rotaxane-based molecular machines for information storage and read-out. I will first investigate the rational design of an orthogonal gating system on the track to allow for the unidirectional transportation of a macrocycle through the track by fuelled acid-base oscillations. By recognition of the chiral information of each station it docks at, the macrocycle will be able to report its position through a unique CD signal output. Harnessing the unidirectional motion of the macrocycle on the track, sequential information of the track will be non-destructive read-out by a series of CD outputs. Furthermore, the information that the macrocycle is reading will change the conformation of the macrocycle. As a result, the reading process will enable the molecular machine to be a 'smart' catalyst for enantioselective synthesis according to the signal it reads.
The controlled information storage and read-out process on molecular-level through a fuelled non-destructive reading machine is a tremendous challenge that could lead us towards the dawn of an era of useful molecular nanotechnology, for example ‘re-storage’ and ‘replication’ of stored information, and ultimately point the way for the use of such molecular machines to write (i.e. synthesize) sequence information as it is reading from the track.

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019

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Coordinator

THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 212 933,76
Address
OXFORD ROAD
M13 9PL Manchester
United Kingdom

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Region
North West (England) Greater Manchester Manchester
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 212 933,76
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