| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/K015095/1 |
| Title: |
Generation of Aptamer-Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Hybrid Materials |
| Principal Investigator: |
Turner, Professor NW |
| Other Investigators: |
|
| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
|
| Project Partners: |
|
| Department: |
Life, Health & Chemical Sciences |
| Organisation: |
The Open University |
| Scheme: |
First Grant - Revised 2009 |
| Starts: |
08 April 2013 |
Ends: |
07 April 2014 |
Value (£): |
98,363
|
| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
Materials Synthesis & Growth |
|
| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
|
|
| Related Grants: |
|
| Panel History: |
| Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
|
05 Dec 2012
|
EPSRC Physical Sciences Materials - December 2012
|
Announced
|
|
|
Summary on Grant Application Form |
Molecular recognition (the ability to specifically recognise a chemical compound) is a highly important feature of analytical science. More often than not compound specific recognition comes from biological element such as enzymes, antibodies and DNA. Aptamers are short strands of DNA.
Whilst the properties in terms of recognition for biological molecules are excellent, the performance and environmental stability is low and this can compromise their uses. In particular degradation is a major problem.
To combat these derogatory issues a new generation of artifical recognition materials have been developed. At the forefront is a technology called Molecular Imprinting. This involves making a small binding pocket in a polymer which is chemically and shape specific for the target compound. These "smart plastics" offer the robustness and the ability to work in extreme environmental conditions but can lack the needed specificity/affinity.
This project aims to create a "best of both worlds" scenario. By slightly changing the chemical structure of the aptamer DNA we intend to use the aptamer as the recognition part of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP). This will be achieved by making the aptamer polymerisable so it can become part of the polymer structure, incorporating it into the polymer matrix via polymerisable groups on the DNA.
In this way we intend to preserve the high affinity and specificity of the aptamer whilst imparting the robustness and added shape specificity generated by the MIP. The presence of the polymer should protect the aptamer from environmental degradation and potentially widen the scope of use of aptamers for recognition.
|
|
Key Findings |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Potential use in non-academic contexts |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Impacts |
|
| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
|
| Date Materialised |
|
|
|
|
Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
| Project URL: |
|
| Further Information: |
|
| Organisation Website: |
|