Project acronym AMPCAT
Project Self-Amplifying Stereodynamic Catalysts in Enantioselective Catalysis
Researcher (PI) Oliver Trapp
Host Institution (HI) RUPRECHT-KARLS-UNIVERSITAET HEIDELBERG
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2010-StG_20091028
Summary Think about an enantioselective catalyst, which can switch its enantioselectivity and which can be imprinted and provides self-amplification by its own chiral reaction product. Think about a catalyst, which can be fine-tuned for efficient stereoselective synthesis of drugs and other materials, e.g. polymers.
Highly promising reactions such as enantioselective autocatalysis (Soai reaction) and chiral catalysts undergoing dynamic interconversions, e.g. BIPHEP ligands, are still not understood. Their application is very limited to a few compounds, which opens the field for novel investigations.
I propose the development of a smart or switchable chiral ligand undergoing dynamic interconversions. These catalysts will be tuned by their reaction product, and this leads to self-amplification of one of the stereoisomers. I propose a novel fundamental mechanism which has the potential to overcome the limitations of the Soai reaction, exploiting the full potential of enantioselective catalysis.
As representatives of enantioselective self-amplifying stereodynamic catalysts a novel class of diazirine based ligands will be developed, their interconversion barrier is tuneable between 80 and 130 kJ/mol. Specifically, following areas will be explored:
1. Investigation of the kinetics and thermodynamics of the Soai reaction as a model reaction by analysis of large sets of kinetic data.
2. Ligands with diaziridine moieties with flexible structure will be designed and investigated, to control the enantioselectivity.
3. Design of a ligand receptor group for product interaction to switch the chirality. Study of self-amplification in enantioselective processes.
4. Enantioselective hydrogenations, Diels-Alder reactions, epoxidations and reactions generating multiple stereocenters will be targeted.
Summary
Think about an enantioselective catalyst, which can switch its enantioselectivity and which can be imprinted and provides self-amplification by its own chiral reaction product. Think about a catalyst, which can be fine-tuned for efficient stereoselective synthesis of drugs and other materials, e.g. polymers.
Highly promising reactions such as enantioselective autocatalysis (Soai reaction) and chiral catalysts undergoing dynamic interconversions, e.g. BIPHEP ligands, are still not understood. Their application is very limited to a few compounds, which opens the field for novel investigations.
I propose the development of a smart or switchable chiral ligand undergoing dynamic interconversions. These catalysts will be tuned by their reaction product, and this leads to self-amplification of one of the stereoisomers. I propose a novel fundamental mechanism which has the potential to overcome the limitations of the Soai reaction, exploiting the full potential of enantioselective catalysis.
As representatives of enantioselective self-amplifying stereodynamic catalysts a novel class of diazirine based ligands will be developed, their interconversion barrier is tuneable between 80 and 130 kJ/mol. Specifically, following areas will be explored:
1. Investigation of the kinetics and thermodynamics of the Soai reaction as a model reaction by analysis of large sets of kinetic data.
2. Ligands with diaziridine moieties with flexible structure will be designed and investigated, to control the enantioselectivity.
3. Design of a ligand receptor group for product interaction to switch the chirality. Study of self-amplification in enantioselective processes.
4. Enantioselective hydrogenations, Diels-Alder reactions, epoxidations and reactions generating multiple stereocenters will be targeted.
Max ERC Funding
1 452 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2010-12-01, End date: 2016-05-31
Project acronym ANTIBACTERIALS
Project Natural products and their cellular targets: A multidisciplinary strategy for antibacterial drug discovery
Researcher (PI) Stephan Axel Sieber
Host Institution (HI) TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2010-StG_20091028
Summary After decades of successful treatment of bacterial infections with antibiotics, formerly treatable bacteria have developed drug resistance and consequently pose a major threat to public health. To address the urgent need for effective antibacterial drugs we will develop a streamlined chemical-biology platform that facilitates the consolidated identification and structural elucidation of natural products together with their dedicated cellular targets. This innovative concept overcomes several limitations of classical drug discovery processes by a chemical strategy that focuses on a directed isolation, enrichment and identification procedure for certain privileged natural product subclasses. This proposal consists of four specific aims: 1) synthesizing enzyme active site mimetics that capture protein reactive natural products out of complex natural sources, 2) designing natural product based probes to identify their cellular targets by a method called activity based protein profiling , 3) developing a traceless photocrosslinking strategy for the target identification of selected non-reactive natural products, and 4) application of all probes to identify novel enzyme activities linked to viability, resistance and pathogenesis. Moreover, the compounds will be used to monitor the infection process during invasion into eukaryotic cells and will reveal host specific targets that promote and support bacterial pathogenesis. Inhibition of these targets is a novel and so far neglected approach in the treatment of infectious diseases. We anticipate that these studies will provide a powerful pharmacological platform for the development of potent natural product derived antibacterial agents directed toward novel therapeutic targets.
Summary
After decades of successful treatment of bacterial infections with antibiotics, formerly treatable bacteria have developed drug resistance and consequently pose a major threat to public health. To address the urgent need for effective antibacterial drugs we will develop a streamlined chemical-biology platform that facilitates the consolidated identification and structural elucidation of natural products together with their dedicated cellular targets. This innovative concept overcomes several limitations of classical drug discovery processes by a chemical strategy that focuses on a directed isolation, enrichment and identification procedure for certain privileged natural product subclasses. This proposal consists of four specific aims: 1) synthesizing enzyme active site mimetics that capture protein reactive natural products out of complex natural sources, 2) designing natural product based probes to identify their cellular targets by a method called activity based protein profiling , 3) developing a traceless photocrosslinking strategy for the target identification of selected non-reactive natural products, and 4) application of all probes to identify novel enzyme activities linked to viability, resistance and pathogenesis. Moreover, the compounds will be used to monitor the infection process during invasion into eukaryotic cells and will reveal host specific targets that promote and support bacterial pathogenesis. Inhibition of these targets is a novel and so far neglected approach in the treatment of infectious diseases. We anticipate that these studies will provide a powerful pharmacological platform for the development of potent natural product derived antibacterial agents directed toward novel therapeutic targets.
Max ERC Funding
1 500 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2010-11-01, End date: 2015-10-31
Project acronym BIOMATE
Project Soft Biomade Materials: Modular Protein Polymers and their nano-assemblies
Researcher (PI) Martinus Abraham Cohen Stuart
Host Institution (HI) WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE5, ERC-2010-AdG_20100224
Summary From a polymer chemistry perspective, the way in which nature produces its plethora of different proteins is a miracle of precision: the synthesis of each single molecule is directed by the sequence information chemically coded in DNA. The present state of recombinant DNA technology should in principle allow us to make genes that code for entirely new, very sophisticated amino acid polymers, which are chosen and designed by man to serve as new polymer materials. It has been shown that it is indeed possible to make use of the protein biosynthetic machinery and produce such de novo protein polymers, but it is not clear what their potentials are in terms of new materials with desired functionalities.
I propose to develop a new class of protein polymers, chosen such that they form nanostructured materials by triggered folding and multimolecular assembly. The plan is based on three innovative ideas: (i) each new protein polymer will be constructed from a limited set of selected amino acid sequences, called modules (hence the term modular protein polymers) (ii) new, high-yield fermentation strategies will be developed so that polymers will become available in significant quantities for evaluation and application; (iii) the design of modular protein polymers is carried out as a cyclic process in which sequence selection, construction of artificial genes, optimisation of fermentation for high yield, studying polymer folding and assembly, and modelling of the nanostructure by molecular simulation are all logically connected, allowing efficient selection of target sequences.
This project is a cross-road. It brings together biotechnology and polymer science, creating a unique set of biomaterials for medical and pharmaceutical use, that can be easily extended into a manifold of biofunctional materials. Moreover, it will provide us with fresh tools and valuable insights to tackle the subtle relations between protein sequence and folding.
Summary
From a polymer chemistry perspective, the way in which nature produces its plethora of different proteins is a miracle of precision: the synthesis of each single molecule is directed by the sequence information chemically coded in DNA. The present state of recombinant DNA technology should in principle allow us to make genes that code for entirely new, very sophisticated amino acid polymers, which are chosen and designed by man to serve as new polymer materials. It has been shown that it is indeed possible to make use of the protein biosynthetic machinery and produce such de novo protein polymers, but it is not clear what their potentials are in terms of new materials with desired functionalities.
I propose to develop a new class of protein polymers, chosen such that they form nanostructured materials by triggered folding and multimolecular assembly. The plan is based on three innovative ideas: (i) each new protein polymer will be constructed from a limited set of selected amino acid sequences, called modules (hence the term modular protein polymers) (ii) new, high-yield fermentation strategies will be developed so that polymers will become available in significant quantities for evaluation and application; (iii) the design of modular protein polymers is carried out as a cyclic process in which sequence selection, construction of artificial genes, optimisation of fermentation for high yield, studying polymer folding and assembly, and modelling of the nanostructure by molecular simulation are all logically connected, allowing efficient selection of target sequences.
This project is a cross-road. It brings together biotechnology and polymer science, creating a unique set of biomaterials for medical and pharmaceutical use, that can be easily extended into a manifold of biofunctional materials. Moreover, it will provide us with fresh tools and valuable insights to tackle the subtle relations between protein sequence and folding.
Max ERC Funding
2 497 044 €
Duration
Start date: 2011-05-01, End date: 2016-04-30
Project acronym BIOMIM
Project Biomimetic films and membranes as advanced materials for studies on cellular processes
Researcher (PI) Catherine Cecile Picart
Host Institution (HI) INSTITUT POLYTECHNIQUE DE GRENOBLE
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2010-StG_20091028
Summary The main objective nowadays in the field of biomaterials is to design highly performing bioinspired materials learning from natural processes. Importantly, biochemical and physical cues are key parameters that can affect cellular processes. Controlling processes that occur at the cell/material interface is also of prime importance to guide the cell response. The main aim of the current project is to develop novel functional bio-nanomaterials for in vitro biological studies. Our strategy is based on two related projects.
The first project deals with the rational design of smart films with foreseen applications in musculoskeletal tissue engineering. We will gain knowledge of key cellular processes by designing well defined self-assembled thin coatings. These multi-functional surfaces with bioactivity (incorporation of growth factors), mechanical (film stiffness) and topographical properties (spatial control of the film s properties) will serve as tools to mimic the complexity of the natural materials in vivo and to present bioactive molecules in the solid phase. We will get a better fundamental understanding of how cellular functions, including adhesion and differentiation of muscle cells are affected by the materials s surface properties.
In the second project, we will investigate at the molecular level a crucial aspect of cell adhesion and motility, which is the intracellular linkage between the plasma membrane and the cell cytoskeleton. We aim to elucidate the role of ERM proteins, especially ezrin and moesin, in the direct linkage between the plasma membrane and actin filaments. Here again, we will use a well defined microenvironment in vitro to simplify the complexity of the interactions that occur in cellulo. To this end, lipid membranes containing a key regulator lipid from the phosphoinositides familly, PIP2, will be employed in conjunction with purified proteins to investigate actin regulation by ERM proteins in the presence of PIP2-membranes.
Summary
The main objective nowadays in the field of biomaterials is to design highly performing bioinspired materials learning from natural processes. Importantly, biochemical and physical cues are key parameters that can affect cellular processes. Controlling processes that occur at the cell/material interface is also of prime importance to guide the cell response. The main aim of the current project is to develop novel functional bio-nanomaterials for in vitro biological studies. Our strategy is based on two related projects.
The first project deals with the rational design of smart films with foreseen applications in musculoskeletal tissue engineering. We will gain knowledge of key cellular processes by designing well defined self-assembled thin coatings. These multi-functional surfaces with bioactivity (incorporation of growth factors), mechanical (film stiffness) and topographical properties (spatial control of the film s properties) will serve as tools to mimic the complexity of the natural materials in vivo and to present bioactive molecules in the solid phase. We will get a better fundamental understanding of how cellular functions, including adhesion and differentiation of muscle cells are affected by the materials s surface properties.
In the second project, we will investigate at the molecular level a crucial aspect of cell adhesion and motility, which is the intracellular linkage between the plasma membrane and the cell cytoskeleton. We aim to elucidate the role of ERM proteins, especially ezrin and moesin, in the direct linkage between the plasma membrane and actin filaments. Here again, we will use a well defined microenvironment in vitro to simplify the complexity of the interactions that occur in cellulo. To this end, lipid membranes containing a key regulator lipid from the phosphoinositides familly, PIP2, will be employed in conjunction with purified proteins to investigate actin regulation by ERM proteins in the presence of PIP2-membranes.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 996 €
Duration
Start date: 2011-06-01, End date: 2016-05-31
Project acronym BIOMOF
Project Biomineral-inspired growth and processing of metal-organic frameworks
Researcher (PI) Darren Bradshaw
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2010-StG_20091028
Summary This ERC-StG proposal, BIOMOF, outlines a dual strategy for the growth and processing of porous metal-organic framework (MOF) materials, inspired by the interfacial interactions that characterise highly controlled biomineralisation processes. The aim is to prepare MOF (bio)-composite materials of hierarchical structure and multi-modal functionality to address key societal challenges in healthcare, catalysis and energy. In order for MOFs to reach their full potential, a transformative approach to their growth, and in particular their processability, is required since the insoluble macroscopic micron-sized crystals resulting from conventional syntheses are unsuitable for many applications. The BIOMOF project defines chemically flexible routes to MOFs under mild conditions, where the added value with respect to wide-ranging experimental procedures for the growth and processing of crystalline controllably nanoscale MOF materials with tunable structure and functionality that display significant porosity for wide-ranging applications is extremely high. Theme 1 exploits protein vesicles and abundant biopolymer matrices for the confined growth of soluble nanoscale MOFs for high-end biomedical applications such as cell imaging and targeted drug delivery, whereas theme 2 focuses on the cost-effective preparation of hierarchically porous MOF composites over several length scales, of relevance to bulk industrial applications such as sustainable catalysis, separations and gas-storage. This diverse yet complementary range of applications arising simply from the way the MOF is processed, coupled with the versatile structural and physical properties of MOFs themselves indicates strongly that the BIOMOF concept is a powerful convergent new approach to applied materials chemistry.
Summary
This ERC-StG proposal, BIOMOF, outlines a dual strategy for the growth and processing of porous metal-organic framework (MOF) materials, inspired by the interfacial interactions that characterise highly controlled biomineralisation processes. The aim is to prepare MOF (bio)-composite materials of hierarchical structure and multi-modal functionality to address key societal challenges in healthcare, catalysis and energy. In order for MOFs to reach their full potential, a transformative approach to their growth, and in particular their processability, is required since the insoluble macroscopic micron-sized crystals resulting from conventional syntheses are unsuitable for many applications. The BIOMOF project defines chemically flexible routes to MOFs under mild conditions, where the added value with respect to wide-ranging experimental procedures for the growth and processing of crystalline controllably nanoscale MOF materials with tunable structure and functionality that display significant porosity for wide-ranging applications is extremely high. Theme 1 exploits protein vesicles and abundant biopolymer matrices for the confined growth of soluble nanoscale MOFs for high-end biomedical applications such as cell imaging and targeted drug delivery, whereas theme 2 focuses on the cost-effective preparation of hierarchically porous MOF composites over several length scales, of relevance to bulk industrial applications such as sustainable catalysis, separations and gas-storage. This diverse yet complementary range of applications arising simply from the way the MOF is processed, coupled with the versatile structural and physical properties of MOFs themselves indicates strongly that the BIOMOF concept is a powerful convergent new approach to applied materials chemistry.
Max ERC Funding
1 492 970 €
Duration
Start date: 2010-11-01, End date: 2015-10-31
Project acronym BORYLENEFUN
Project The versatile metal-boron multiple bond: application of borylenes to metathesis, catalysis, and macromolecules
Researcher (PI) Holger Christoph Braunschweig
Host Institution (HI) JULIUS-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITAT WURZBURG
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE5, ERC-2010-AdG_20100224
Summary Borylated molecules and polymers are of great interest due to their broad application in organic synthesis and materials science. The functionalisation of organic substrates with boryl groups R2B is based on classical synthetic methods e.g. hydro- and diboration of C-C multiple bonds. Likewise, borylenes B-R should be versatile reagents for corresponding functionalisations, however, the chemistry of such species remained unexplored due to their high instability.
Pioneering work in our laboratories has proven that complexes of the type [LxM=B-R] not only stabilise elusive borylenes B-R in the coordination sphere of various transition metals but, more importantly, serve as unprecedented sources for these species under ambient conditions in condensed phase. Thus, the major objective of the current proposal is to establish novel reactivity patterns based on B-R fragments for the functionalisation of organometallic and organic substrates. Particular attention will be paid to the synthesis of novel molecular and polymeric species with significant potential as materials. Given the pronounced importance of boron containing species in organic synthesis, catalysis and materials science, the proposed project is expected to have a significant impact on these areas of applied molecular science. In addition, a wide range of fundamental aspects will be covered, targeting e.g. novel conjugated cyclic systems or molecules with unprecedented boron-element combinations.
The following subjects will be pursued:
1)Cationic and anionic dimetalloborylenes as complementary building blocks in synthesis
2)Application of borylene metathesis in stoichiometric and catalytic transformations
3)Borylene transfer for organometallic synthesis and borylene based pi-conjugated materials
Summary
Borylated molecules and polymers are of great interest due to their broad application in organic synthesis and materials science. The functionalisation of organic substrates with boryl groups R2B is based on classical synthetic methods e.g. hydro- and diboration of C-C multiple bonds. Likewise, borylenes B-R should be versatile reagents for corresponding functionalisations, however, the chemistry of such species remained unexplored due to their high instability.
Pioneering work in our laboratories has proven that complexes of the type [LxM=B-R] not only stabilise elusive borylenes B-R in the coordination sphere of various transition metals but, more importantly, serve as unprecedented sources for these species under ambient conditions in condensed phase. Thus, the major objective of the current proposal is to establish novel reactivity patterns based on B-R fragments for the functionalisation of organometallic and organic substrates. Particular attention will be paid to the synthesis of novel molecular and polymeric species with significant potential as materials. Given the pronounced importance of boron containing species in organic synthesis, catalysis and materials science, the proposed project is expected to have a significant impact on these areas of applied molecular science. In addition, a wide range of fundamental aspects will be covered, targeting e.g. novel conjugated cyclic systems or molecules with unprecedented boron-element combinations.
The following subjects will be pursued:
1)Cationic and anionic dimetalloborylenes as complementary building blocks in synthesis
2)Application of borylene metathesis in stoichiometric and catalytic transformations
3)Borylene transfer for organometallic synthesis and borylene based pi-conjugated materials
Max ERC Funding
2 496 762 €
Duration
Start date: 2011-05-01, End date: 2016-04-30
Project acronym BOTTOM-UP_SYSCHEM
Project Systems Chemistry from Bottom Up: Switching, Gating and Oscillations in Non Enzymatic Peptide Networks
Researcher (PI) Gonen Ashkenasy
Host Institution (HI) BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2010-StG_20091028
Summary The study of synthetic molecular networks is of fundamental importance for understanding the organizational principles of biological systems and may well be the key to unraveling the origins of life. In addition, such systems may be useful for parallel synthesis of molecules, implementation of catalysis via multi-step pathways, and as media for various applications in nano-medicine and nano-electronics. We have been involved recently in developing peptide-based replicating networks and revealed their dynamic characteristics. We argue here that the structural information embedded in the polypeptide chains is sufficiently rich to allow the construction of peptide 'Systems Chemistry', namely, to facilitate the use of replicating networks as cell-mimetics, featuring complex dynamic behavior. To bring this novel idea to reality, we plan to take a unique holistic approach by studying such networks both experimentally and via simulations, for elucidating basic-principles and towards applications in adjacent fields, such as molecular electronics. Towards realizing these aims, we will study three separate but inter-related objectives: (i) design and characterization of networks that react and rewire in response to external triggers, such as light, (ii) design of networks that operate via new dynamic rules of product formation that lead to oscillations, and (iii) exploitation of the molecular information gathered from the networks as means to control switching and gating in molecular electronic devices. We believe that achieving the project's objectives will be highly significant for the development of the arising field of Systems Chemistry, and in addition will provide valuable tools for studying related scientific fields, such as systems biology and molecular electronics.
Summary
The study of synthetic molecular networks is of fundamental importance for understanding the organizational principles of biological systems and may well be the key to unraveling the origins of life. In addition, such systems may be useful for parallel synthesis of molecules, implementation of catalysis via multi-step pathways, and as media for various applications in nano-medicine and nano-electronics. We have been involved recently in developing peptide-based replicating networks and revealed their dynamic characteristics. We argue here that the structural information embedded in the polypeptide chains is sufficiently rich to allow the construction of peptide 'Systems Chemistry', namely, to facilitate the use of replicating networks as cell-mimetics, featuring complex dynamic behavior. To bring this novel idea to reality, we plan to take a unique holistic approach by studying such networks both experimentally and via simulations, for elucidating basic-principles and towards applications in adjacent fields, such as molecular electronics. Towards realizing these aims, we will study three separate but inter-related objectives: (i) design and characterization of networks that react and rewire in response to external triggers, such as light, (ii) design of networks that operate via new dynamic rules of product formation that lead to oscillations, and (iii) exploitation of the molecular information gathered from the networks as means to control switching and gating in molecular electronic devices. We believe that achieving the project's objectives will be highly significant for the development of the arising field of Systems Chemistry, and in addition will provide valuable tools for studying related scientific fields, such as systems biology and molecular electronics.
Max ERC Funding
1 500 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2010-10-01, End date: 2015-09-30
Project acronym C-H ACTIVATION
Project New Concepts for Utilizing a Ubiquitous (Non-)Functional Group - C-H Bond Activation for Increased Efficiency in Organic Synthesis
Researcher (PI) Frank Klaus Glorius
Host Institution (HI) Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2010-StG_20091028
Summary C-H activations and related reactions can potentially revolutionize the way organic molecules are made and allow a more efficient use of earth's natural resources. Despite the rapid progress of the last couple of years, many problems like limited scope, extreme reaction conditions (temperature, excess of reagents) or low reactivities and selectivities remain in many cases. In this comprehensive proposal containing a number of projects and work packages, we want to develope new C-H activation methods 1) for the efficient synthesis of heterocycles, 2) for the activation of unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds, 3) by employing newly designed Fe-NHC complexes and 4) demonstrating the application of C-H activation for the functionalization of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The realization of these goals would render organic synthesis greener and more efficient and would have an impact on the preparation of compounds in academia and industry.
Summary
C-H activations and related reactions can potentially revolutionize the way organic molecules are made and allow a more efficient use of earth's natural resources. Despite the rapid progress of the last couple of years, many problems like limited scope, extreme reaction conditions (temperature, excess of reagents) or low reactivities and selectivities remain in many cases. In this comprehensive proposal containing a number of projects and work packages, we want to develope new C-H activation methods 1) for the efficient synthesis of heterocycles, 2) for the activation of unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds, 3) by employing newly designed Fe-NHC complexes and 4) demonstrating the application of C-H activation for the functionalization of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The realization of these goals would render organic synthesis greener and more efficient and would have an impact on the preparation of compounds in academia and industry.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 400 €
Duration
Start date: 2010-12-01, End date: 2015-11-30
Project acronym CAT4ENSUS
Project Molecular Catalysts Made of Earth-Abundant Elements for Energy and Sustainability
Researcher (PI) Xile Hu
Host Institution (HI) ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2010-StG_20091028
Summary Energy and sustainability are among the biggest challenges humanity faces this century. Catalysis is an indispensable component for many potential solutions, and fundamental research in catalysis is as urgent as ever. Here, we propose to build up an interdisciplinary research program in molecular catalysis to address the challenges of energy and sustainability. There are two specific aims: (I) bio-inspired sulfur-rich metal complexes as efficient and practical electrocatalysts for hydrogen production and CO2 reduction; (II) well-defined Fe complexes of chelating pincer ligands for chemo- and stereoselective organic synthesis. An important feature of the proposed catalysts is that they are made of earth-abundant and readily available elements such as Fe, Co, Ni, S, N, etc.
Design and synthesis of catalysts are the starting point and a key aspect of this project. A major inspiration comes from nature, where metallo-enzymes use readily available metals for fuel production and challenging reactions. Our accumulated knowledge and experience in spectroscopy, electrochemistry, reaction chemistry, mechanism, and catalysis will enable us to thoroughly study the synthetic catalysts and their applications towards the research targets. Furthermore, we will explore research territories such as electrode modification and fabrication, catalyst immobilization and attachment, and asymmetric catalysis.
The proposed research should not only result in new insights and knowledge in catalysis that are relevant to energy and sustainability, but also produce functional, scalable, and economically feasible catalysts for fuel production and organic synthesis. The program can contribute to excellence in European research.
Summary
Energy and sustainability are among the biggest challenges humanity faces this century. Catalysis is an indispensable component for many potential solutions, and fundamental research in catalysis is as urgent as ever. Here, we propose to build up an interdisciplinary research program in molecular catalysis to address the challenges of energy and sustainability. There are two specific aims: (I) bio-inspired sulfur-rich metal complexes as efficient and practical electrocatalysts for hydrogen production and CO2 reduction; (II) well-defined Fe complexes of chelating pincer ligands for chemo- and stereoselective organic synthesis. An important feature of the proposed catalysts is that they are made of earth-abundant and readily available elements such as Fe, Co, Ni, S, N, etc.
Design and synthesis of catalysts are the starting point and a key aspect of this project. A major inspiration comes from nature, where metallo-enzymes use readily available metals for fuel production and challenging reactions. Our accumulated knowledge and experience in spectroscopy, electrochemistry, reaction chemistry, mechanism, and catalysis will enable us to thoroughly study the synthetic catalysts and their applications towards the research targets. Furthermore, we will explore research territories such as electrode modification and fabrication, catalyst immobilization and attachment, and asymmetric catalysis.
The proposed research should not only result in new insights and knowledge in catalysis that are relevant to energy and sustainability, but also produce functional, scalable, and economically feasible catalysts for fuel production and organic synthesis. The program can contribute to excellence in European research.
Max ERC Funding
1 475 712 €
Duration
Start date: 2011-01-01, End date: 2015-12-31
Project acronym CHEMBIOLPBINT
Project Chemical biology of natural products in plant-bacteria interactions
Researcher (PI) Markus Kaiser
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITAET DUISBURG-ESSEN
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2010-StG_20091028
Summary This project deals with the elucidation of the biological role of natural products in plant-bacteria interactions. Plant-associated bacteria synthesize a vast number of biologically active natural products that modulate the physiology and functioning of their host plants. For example, plant pathogens often cause devastating crop losses by secreting low molecular weight
phytotoxins, while some symbiotic bacteria biosynthesize plant-protecting compounds that assist in lowering biotic and abiotic plant stresses. It is therefore surprising that although natural products seem to play key roles in the complex interaction network between bacteria and plants, most of their biological functions and molecular targets are still unknown.
To date, almost all studies on plant-bacteria interactions have been performed with biological approaches. Here, we propose to investigate the biological role of plant-associated natural products with the aid of a chemistry-driven approach, relying on the power of chemical synthesis to i) generate these natural products and/or suitable natural product derivatives, ii) to elucidate their targets in plants, and iii) to apply them in plant-bacteria studies. Although natural products have long been in the focus of chemical research, such a systematic chemistry-driven approach has, to our knowledge, never been performed before in plant-bacteria interactions. Our project will therefore not only serve to i) decipher basic research questions and ii) identify potential lead structures for agricultural and medicinal applications, but will also contribute to iii) the refinement of chemical syntheses strategies, iv) the advancement of target finding approaches and v) the establishment of chemical biology approaches in plant biology.
Summary
This project deals with the elucidation of the biological role of natural products in plant-bacteria interactions. Plant-associated bacteria synthesize a vast number of biologically active natural products that modulate the physiology and functioning of their host plants. For example, plant pathogens often cause devastating crop losses by secreting low molecular weight
phytotoxins, while some symbiotic bacteria biosynthesize plant-protecting compounds that assist in lowering biotic and abiotic plant stresses. It is therefore surprising that although natural products seem to play key roles in the complex interaction network between bacteria and plants, most of their biological functions and molecular targets are still unknown.
To date, almost all studies on plant-bacteria interactions have been performed with biological approaches. Here, we propose to investigate the biological role of plant-associated natural products with the aid of a chemistry-driven approach, relying on the power of chemical synthesis to i) generate these natural products and/or suitable natural product derivatives, ii) to elucidate their targets in plants, and iii) to apply them in plant-bacteria studies. Although natural products have long been in the focus of chemical research, such a systematic chemistry-driven approach has, to our knowledge, never been performed before in plant-bacteria interactions. Our project will therefore not only serve to i) decipher basic research questions and ii) identify potential lead structures for agricultural and medicinal applications, but will also contribute to iii) the refinement of chemical syntheses strategies, iv) the advancement of target finding approaches and v) the establishment of chemical biology approaches in plant biology.
Max ERC Funding
1 490 900 €
Duration
Start date: 2011-03-01, End date: 2016-02-29
