JOSE VICENTE HERNAND · Rotaxanes as potential prodrug systems

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Project objective

The aim of this project is to use a simple and versatile hydrogen bond-mediated supramolecular assembly process to derivates bioactive peptides ( e.g. enkephalins ) as rotaxanes. This should affect their properties, e.g. preventing their in vivo degradation by enzymes, and allow tailoring of their cell membrane transport characteristics. The 'molecular capsules ' - sort of ' super cyclodextrins ' -could be designed to allow drug release in response to a specific stimuli ( e.g. for use with ADEPT -type strategies ) or for slow release over time. Currently rotaxanes are seen as rather exotic molecular structures. This project seeks to use the architectures to do something of both fundamental scientific interest (changing peptide and protein properties) and possible industrial benefit (produce new strategy to prodrugs). Encapsulating peptide and protein segments in a rotaxane structure will also change the conformation (folding) of the peptide/protein and so is of further fundamental importance. Main training is in organic synthesis, non-covalent interactions and assembly processes. The project is based on the design, synthesis and characterization of the properties of hydrogen bond assembled rotaxanes using a strategy recently discovered in Prof Leigh's laboratory. However, the experience of the applicant in the synthesis and conformational analysis of other hydrogen bonding motifs may be useful in developing new types of rotaxane systems. Thus, there is complementarity in the skills of both sides and both should benefit from a Fellowship.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH · EDINBURGHCoordinatorUnited Kingdom

Links

• View on CORDIS