EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S04949/01
Title: Ultra-specific, nanoscale transition metal-based luminescent detectors, assembled in situ by their bio-targets
Principal Investigator: Douglas, Professor K
Other Investigators:
Coe, Dr BJ Faulkner, Professor S
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Dr E Bichenkova
Project Partners:
Department: Manchester Pharmacy School
Organisation: University of Manchester, The
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 April 2003 Ends: 30 September 2005 Value (£): 307,613
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Chemical Biology Co-ordination Chemistry
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
We propose to develop a new general system for very specific signal transduction at nucleic acid target sequences, and with virtually no background signal. DNA systems will be used for proof of concept, involving the in situ assembly of metal-based luminescent detector moieties. The high fidelity mutual recognition properties of complementary DNA strands will be used in combination with detailed 3D knowledge of the target sites chosen. There will be little or zero background because of the way in which the detector structures are designed and assembled. Many possible detection systems could be used in principle, but for rapid translation to a test system we will use transition metal complex units which have especially well characterized photoexcitation properties, such as ruthenium tris(chelates) or lanthanide complexes. This project brings the techniques of rational molecular design, developed extensively in medicinal chemistry laboratories over the past decade, to bear on the interface of inorganic chemistry and nucleic acid science. The intention is to generate the foundational knowledge for the creation of new types of bio-detectors which are expected to find applications in a variety of modem biological and industrial environments.
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: http://www.man.ac.uk