| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S55200/01 |
| Title: |
Macromolecular Hands: A Feasibility Study |
| Principal Investigator: |
Saunders, Professor B |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Materials |
| Organisation: |
University of Manchester, The |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 March 2004 |
Ends: |
28 February 2005 |
Value (£): |
61,292
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Cells |
Complex fluids & soft solids |
| Materials Characterisation |
Materials Synthesis & Growth |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Healthcare |
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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In this project the feasibility of a new, versatile method for controlling particle-surface interactions will be demonstrated. Our previous work showed that interfaces containing adsorbed temperature-responsive polymers could be used to reversibly trigger adhesion of particles. In this project microarrays of responsive polymer chains will be produced. The microarrays will be adsorbed onto surfaces and used to capture, reversibly, dispersed latex particles. The microarrays will act as macromolecular hands. The ability to control the strength of surface-particle interactions provides the opportunity to undertake systematic studies of the behaviour of biomolecules at interfaces whilst establishing the basis for a technology that may improve the performance of minitiarised total analysis systems. The study will test the proposal that responsive polymer chains adsorbed to interfaces have the potential to sort proteins. This project will facilitate the delivery of improved microfabricated separation systems with improved resolution. The demonstration of a widely applicable method for conferring the ability to modulate particle migration onto surfaces will enable new lines of enquiry to be established.
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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.man.ac.uk |