Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	EP/C004396/1
Title:	Synthetic Ligand Gated Channels
Principal Investigator:	Webb, Professor SJ
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Chemistry
Organisation:	University of Manchester, The
Scheme:	First Grant Scheme Pre-FEC
Starts:	01 October 2005	Ends:	30 September 2008	Value (£):	114,474
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Biological & Medicinal Chem. Chemical Biology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
The cell membrane both defines the cell boundary and controls the movement of material into and out of the cell. These processes are controlled by membrane-spanning protein channels within the membrane, which not only select which species pass through the membrane, but also can be open or closed, allowing complete control of transit through the channels. In this project we will make artificial channels that will mimic the way cells control the movement of substances into and out of themselves, using inorganic metal complexes known to spontaneously form molecular tubes with large internal cavities. Most current approaches to mimicking such channels have only resulted in uncontrolled transport through the membrane. Our method uses switchable in situ construction of channels within the membrane to control transport through the membrane. In our panel and hinge approach, the panels (walls) of the channel are already present in the membrane, but will only come together (self-assemble) to form a channel when a metal ion hinge is added to link the sides of the panels together (open channel). Addition of a further species, which removes and locks up (chelates) the hinge will cause the channel to collapse and stop transport through the membrane (closed channel). Our studies into this fundamental biological process will not only inform other researchers in the field but also improve our understanding of the formation of molecular tubes and the self-assembly of molecules within membranes.
Key Findings
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Organisation Website:	http://www.man.ac.uk