| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/F038712/1 |
| Title: |
Metal Complexes as Inhibitors of Protein-Protein Interactions |
| Principal Investigator: |
Fletcher, Dr NC |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Chemistry and Chemical Eng |
| Organisation: |
Queen's University of Belfast |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research |
| Starts: |
25 September 2008 |
Ends: |
24 September 2011 |
Value (£): |
299,263
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Biological & Medicinal Chem. |
Chemical Synthetic Methodology |
| Combinatorial Chemistry |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
| Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
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11 Mar 2008
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Chemistry Prioritisation Panel
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Announced
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Although many cellular processes depend upon enzymatic reactions, protein-protein interactions populate a significant number of regulatory pathways - thus an explosion of interest in their study mirrors a pivotal role in diseased states. In order to manipulate effectively biological systems, there is a pressing need for small molecules that inhibit these interactions through strong and selective recognition of the interacting surfaces. The internal 'lock and key' type enzyme-substrate molecular recognition model has led to a good understanding of how to design small molecule inhibitors. However, it is not clear how the external 'hand gripping a ball' type recognition that occurs in protein-protein interactions, can be replicated using small molecules. Protein-protein interactions involve complementary large shapeless surfaces with multiple non-covalent contacts. In this work we will use small, easy to make, building-blocks that can be brought together using either a template directed synthesis, or self-organisation, to make 'protein surface mimics'; molecular entities that posses the molecular information necessary to recognise a protein surface and block the interaction it makes with its partner. Template directed synthesis and self-assembly are methods of synthesis used to assemble complex architectures from smaller components. They use the information within the components as an instruction set for the construction of the complex architecture. Methods that can do this are essential to the development of new strategies to understand and combat disease.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.qub.ac.uk |