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H2020Individual fellowship2017–2019

BINAMA · Biomimicking nanostructured materials via intra(inter)molecular folding of sequence-controlled polymers

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2017-01-20 → 2019-07-19
EU contribution
€211,825
Participants
2
Scheme
MSCA-IF

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Biomimicking nanostructured materials via intra(inter)molecular folding of sequence-controlled polymers

-The project sought to enable the synthesis of functional polymers where the sequence of each block can be controlled. To achieve this we first developed a universal polymerization protocol that can simultaneously polymerize monomers from different families including acrylates, methacrylates and styrene (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2017, 139, 1003–1010). I then focused on the polymerization of a wide range of semi-fluorinated monomers that can be potentially used as MRI contrast agents. This polymerization was induced through the use of light as an external stimuli. Ultimately, I managed to synthesize sequence-controlled polymers consisting of hydrophilic, hydrophobic and semi-fluorinated moieties with good molecular characteristics, high monomer conversions and exceptional end-group fidelity. Such materials can find use in a range of applications such as self-assembly in bulk and in solution and folding of polymer chains to mimic proteins. The action concluded that the synthesis of complex sequence-controlled polymers is now possible and further investigation into the scope and applications of such materials is currently under investigation.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Nature employs various polymerization processes (e.g. DNA replication, transcription and translation of proteins) in order to synthesize biopolymers such as DNA and proteins with controlled sequences and configurations. Such remarkable and complicated structures can fold into precise nanostructures via intramolecular and intermolecular interactions and thus replicating these domains via synthetic polymers has recently attracted considerable interest. The goal of BINAMA is to synthesize biomimicking nanostructure materials via intramolecular folding of sequence-controlled polymers in the presence of a “real” catalyst/chaperone, thus mimicking the intracellular environment. For the first part of the project, the sequence of functional monomers will be controlled utilizing controlled living radical polymerization methods. Subsequently, the incorporation of these monomers will induce hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic/hydrophobic, pi-pi, charge and disulphide interactions typically employed by proteins in order to facilitate the controlled folding of the polymer chains, adopting natural motifs and patterns. The ability to mimic these perfectly defined sequence-controlled polymers (e.g. DNA and proteins) via synthetic polymer chemistry will pave the way for synthetic bioanalogues and could also enhance their functions and properties.

Original text from CORDIS.

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Data: CORDIS, © European Union