Directed Evolution of Function within Chemical Systems: Adaptive Capsules and Polymers

Objective

A signature trait of living systems is their ability to dynamically adjust to features of their environments, adapting to stay alive, and evolving to take better advantage of the resources in their environments. This proposed research aims to synthesise new chemical systems that are capable of adaptation and evolution, with the achievement of specified functions being used as the benchmarks by which we may be judged to have succeeded in setting the direction for our systems evolution. Two parallel lines of inquiry will be followed. First, we will build upon results that we have recently published in Science[1] to create a series of new molecular capsules that are capable of dynamically adapting to different guest molecules. These capsules will serve as sensors and as enzyme-like catalysts through the use of transition-state-analogue guests. Second, we will prepare new metal-containing conjugated polymers through self-assembly, which will be capable of dynamically exchanging building blocks in solution. These polymers will have potential applications as electrically-conductive materials, with functional properties that may be tuned and optimised by the application of evolutionary pressures.

The success of these studies will thus create novel materials with uses as self-assembled sensors, catalysts, and electrical conductors. We will also shed light upon the question of how chemical systems may be induced to evolve under selective pressure. These studies thus have long-term bearing upon the questions of how living systems evolved from pre-biological mixtures of molecules.

[1] P. Mal, B. Breiner, K. Rissanen, J.R. Nitschke, Science 2009, 324, 1697-1699.

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.

• natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
• engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
• natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

• FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

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.

• ERC-SG-PE5 - ERC Starting Grant - Materials and Synthesis

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

ERC-2010-StG_20091028
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

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ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant

Host institution

Beneficiaries (1)