Project description
Twofold system opens a window into supramolecular bonding
Supramolecular structures are very large molecules formed by grouping or bonding smaller molecules together. In contrast to conventional chemistry and covalently bonded atoms, supramolecular chemistry typically involves weaker and reversible interactions like those that are fundamental to biological systems and functions. Technological advances have made it possible to evaluate the mechanical strength of non-covalent interactions in the single-molecule regime. However, chemical characterisation has so far been impossible. The EU-funded TweeTERS project is combining optical tweezers for mechanical insight with cutting-edge tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for chemical insight. The setup will enable the simultaneous measurement of reversible binding events and the identification of the molecular species involved, the inter- and intramolecular interactions and their orientations for single-molecule manipulation of supramolecular systems with unprecedented spatial resolution.
Objective
Quantitative information on the dynamics and mechanistic principles behind supramolecular systems can be investigated in the single-molecule regime by measuring the nanometer displacements resulting from the application of picoNewton forces in optical trapping (OT) experiments. In particular, the mechanical strength of non-covalent interactions can be quantified when studying the reversible breaking/formation of hydrogen bonds on individual host-guest systems or the switching of a macrocycle between binding stations in a molecular shuttle. However, the fundamental chemical mechanisms behind the obtained real-time operational kinetics are not accessible with OT experiments and fundamental questions about the physicochemical processes underlying real-operation remain unanswered.
The goal of this project is to merge OT for single-molecule optical force microscopy experiments with tip-enhaced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). TERS is a powerfull nearfield-based techinque based on the coupling of Raman spectroscopy and scanning probe microscopy. It provides chemical characterization with single molecule sensitivity and few-nm spatial resolution. Since Raman spectroscopy is sensitive to molecular species, inter and intra molecular interactions and orientations; by combining OT-optical force microscopy with TERS, we will access the underlying physicochemical processes triggering specific shuttling events in molecular motors and other types of supramolecular systems. In particular, we aim to create a hybrid tool that can disentangle the relation between mechanical, conformational and chemical properties of individual synthetic supramolecular systems and the non-covalent interactions governing their behavior, with single-molecule sensitivity and spatial resolution in the range of 10 nm. TweeTERS will lead to a major technological improvement in the single-molecule manipulation field and in particular, in the nearly un-explored field of single-molecule supra-molecular chemistry.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019
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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.
28049 Madrid
Spain
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.