Molecular Engineering of Synthetic Motile Systems towards Biological Environments

Introduction

The goal of this ERC is to develop synthetic motile systems with cilia-like and flagella-like movement based on supramolecular assemblies of controlled shape, size, and morphology. With this strategy, we are addressing the great challenge of developing synthetic systems with the ability to move, sense, and adapt at the cellular, tissue, and systemic level.

Research Objectives

The systems developed will then allow us to study the effect of propulsive movement on:

1. Cellular uptake
2. Targeted transport
3. External guidance and sensing

Thus, we aim to define the active delivery potential of these systems.

Core Principles

Assembly from building blocks with pre-programmed functionality is the core principle guiding nature and a tool that we have harnessed in our research.

Capabilities of the Systems

Besides their ability to move directionally, these complex bio-inspired systems are programmed to:

• Sense changes in the environment
• Adapt to the changes by regulating their speed, shape, and behavior

Since they are by design catalytically active, they can also:

• Change the chemical composition of their environment
• Dynamically regulate the chemical signaling pathways in their interaction with other species

Goals of the ERC Program

The study of the primary biomimetic complex emergent functions such as:

• Motility
• Adaptivity (regulated and feedback output)
• Interaction/communication in biological environments

will be the goals of this ERC program. This will concentrate on three work packages built from five interconnecting projects.

System Design

Organic, inorganic catalysts, and biocatalysts based on multiple enzymes will be incorporated within asymmetric soft self-assembled structures to generate smart autonomous systems. These systems will be able to:

• Harvest different sources of energy from the surrounding environment
• Generate a feedback response

Final Output

The final output of the program will be to develop an understanding of the directional movement of engineered synthetic motile systems studied from cellular levels to complex environments.