Photochromic Systems for Solid State Molecular Electronic Devices and Light-Activated Cancer Drugs (PHOTOCHROMES)

Forskningsprojekt, 2008 – 2013

Photochromic molecules, or photochromes, can be reversibly isomerized between two thermally stable forms by exposure to light of different wavelengths. Upon isomerization, properties such as excitation energies, redox properties, charge distribution, and structure experience significant changes. These changes can be harnessed to switch “on” or “off” the action of a variety of photophysical processes in the photochromic constructs, e.g., energy and electron transfer. Until now, the focus of my research has been to show proof of principle for a large selection of molecule-based photonically controlled logic devices (solution based) with the functional basis in the switching of the transfer processes mentioned above. Now, I wish to extend the study to include experiments in the solid state, e.g., polymer matrices. Taking the step into doing solid state chemistry is not only a prerequisite for any real-world application. It will also allow for experiments that cannot be performed in fluid solution, such as aligning molecules in a stretched film for chemistry with polarized light, and immobilization of molecules for selective addressing in a three-dimensional array of volume elements. Furthermore, I intend to investigate the possibility to photonically control the membrane penetrating and the DNA-binding abilities of photochromes, aiming at, in a long-term perspective, light-activated cancer drugs. Due to the fact that both the structure and the charge distribution of a photochrome may change drastically upon isomerization, one of the two isomeric forms is often suitable for penetrating a membrane. Inside the membrane, e.g., in a cell, the photochrome can be photo-isomerized to a structure with high affinity for strong binding to DNA. Upon binding, transcription is inhibited and the cell dies. If desired, pH-sensitivity and two-photon processes could be used to further increase the selectivity in addressing very specific regions of the body, such as a tumor.

Deltagare

Finansiering

Relaterade styrkeområden och infrastruktur

Hållbar utveckling

Drivkrafter

Nanovetenskap och nanoteknik

Styrkeområden

Publikationer

Molecules with a sense of logic: a progress report

A photoswitchable supramolecular complex with release-and-report capabilities

Reversible Energy-Transfer Switching on a DNA Scaffold

A Caged Ret Kinase Inhibitor and its Effect on Motoneuron Development in Zebrafish Embryos

Design, Synthesis and Inhibitory Activity of Photoswitchable RET Kinase Inhibitors.

DNA-Binding Properties of Amidine-Substituted Spiropyran Photoswitches

Storage and Processing of Information Using Molecules: The All-Photonic Approach with Simple and Multi-Photochromic Switches

Information Processing with Molecules-Quo Vadis?

An All-Photonic Molecule-Based Parity Generator/Checker for Error Detection in Data Transmission

Enantioselective Cyclization of Photochromic Dithienylethenes Bound to DNA

Characterization of the thermal and photoinduced reactions of photochromic spiropyrans in aqueous solution

Data and signal processing using photochromic molecules

Switching Properties of a Spiropyran-Cucurbit [7] uril Supramolecular Assembly: Usefulness of the Anchor Approach

All-Photonic Multifunctional Molecular Logic Device

Molecular Implementation of Sequential and Reversible Logic Through Photochromic Energy Transfer Switching

Light-induced cytotoxicity of a photochromic spiropyran

OFF-ON-OFF Fluorescence Switch with T-Latch Function

An All-Photonic Molecule-Based D Flip-Flop

Photochromic Supramolecular Memory With Nondestructive Readout

Molecular AND-logic for dually controlled activation of a DNA-binding spiropyran

Smart molecules at work-mimicking advanced logic operations

An All-Photonic Molecular Keypad Lock

Mer information

Projektets webbplats

http://erc.europa.eu/photochromic-systems-...

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