BIOSOFT · Light scattering investigation of bio-functionalised amphiphiles
FP6 — Marie Curie Actions (Human Resources and Mobility)
- Duration
- 2006-07-15 → 2007-07-14
- EU contribution
- €40,000
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- ERG
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Results in brief
Final Activity Report Summary - BIOSOFT (Light scattering investigation of bio-functionalized amphiphiles)
We have measured the Langmuir adsorption of DNA-functionalised surfactants ('amphinucleosides') by means of light scattering from colloidal model particles near the refractive index matching. We highlight the effect of the hydrophobic tails and specific zwitterionic head groups. We have investigated hydrophobic and specific base pairing interactions occurring in double shells on the surface colloidal particles. In addition we studied the self-assembling of amphinucleosides with polar heads formed by nine DNA bases. We measured the phase diagram as a function of the ionic strength and temperature, showing evidences of a critical point far from room temperature (around 80C). Finally we have determined the corresponding correlation length and we have compared our results with different model surfactants.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
This research proposal is aimed to investigate, by means of light scattering and other optical investigation methods, self-aggregation effects and interparticle interactions in solutions of bio-functionalized surfactants.These compounds have an amphiphilic structure with biologically-inspired head groups (made for instance by a small number of nucleosides). As a consequence, they behave as 'smart' molecules capable of specific molecular recognition of a complementary head-group sequence, which makes them particularly appealing for the development of bio-nanotechnologies.Indeed, by appropriate control of the chemical functionalities codified in molecular structure, bio-functionalized amphiphiles self-assembly as micellar systems, vescicles, microemulsions, 'living polymers', or chiral structures, and can be used to design host-guest complexes and systems for enzymatic confinement.Main goal of the project is trying and establishing a link between the collective, non-specific, large-scale self-assembly phenomena that are usually investigated by soft matter scientists, and the short-range molecular specificity effects commonly seen as the driving force for association in biological fluids.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- SOFT MATTER LABORATORY - NUCLEAR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT (DIPARTIMENTO DI INGEGNERIA NUCLEARE) POLYTECHNIC OF MILAN (POLITECNICO DI MILANO) · MILANOCoordinatorCity levelItaly
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union