The project aims at tailoring synthetic molecules that adopt helically folded conformations – foldamers – to develop carbohydrate-selective sensors for diagnostic and pharmacological applications. Foldamers have already been shown to be outstanding and selective carbohydrate binders in organic solvents. To produce sensors that work in water, boronic acid functions will be introduced to ensure carbohydrate binding in aqueous medium, selectivity will be imparted by the foldamer helix backbone, and fluorescence responsiveness to the presence of a bound carbohydrate will be rationally implemented.
Information about the related PhD position and how to apply are available here.
