| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S47496/01 |
| Title: |
A Synthetic Self-Motile Vesicle |
| Principal Investigator: |
Jones, Professor R |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Physics and Astronomy |
| Organisation: |
University of Sheffield |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 January 2004 |
Ends: |
31 March 2007 |
Value (£): |
380,881
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Analytical Science |
Complex fluids & soft solids |
| Drug Formulation & Delivery |
Materials Synthesis & Growth |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Chemicals |
Healthcare |
| Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology |
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| Related Grants: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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We aim to make a self-propelled nano-scale delivery vehicle that encapsulates and protects a molecular consignment, swims towards and recognises its target, then delivers the goods; that is, in effect, to create something that looks like a synthetic bacteria or a sperm cell. The vehicle itself will be a polymeric lipsome produced by self-assembly from diblock copolymers with one hydrophillic and one hydrophobic block. Motility will be obtained by attching a synthetic flagullum consisting of three self-assembled polymer layers; a polyacid, a central rigid layer and a polybase. Like a bimetallic strip, a film of this material will flex one way in acid and the other way in base. We will produce an autonomously varying pH to drive the flagellum by the use of an ascillating chemical reaction. Finally, if progress permits, we will incorporate a trigger mechanism that uses molecular recognistion to detect a target and generate a catalyst that will degrade the polymersome wall, releasing its contents.
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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.shef.ac.uk |