With the aim of creating robust, potent and selective carbohydrate binding molecules (CBMs) whose synthesis can be scaled up, peptides or small proteins are attractive. Their specific fold, presence of amino acids capable of polar hydrogen bonds and CH-p interactions, have the potential to achieve the goals. Designs inspired by nature will be approached via peptide synthesis and mini-protein expression. Studying their fold and designing multivalent versions, is part of the goals towards highly potent and practical CBMs. Molecular modeling, advanced NMR and state of the art peptide synthesis and protein expression are the key techniques. Application area’s include the interference with adhesion and infection with bacteria and viruses.
Information about the related PhD position and how to apply are available here.
