Metal-Chelating Coiled-Coil Peptide

This project focuses on the design, synthesis and characterization of coiled coil (CC) motifs as modular scaffolds for metal-mediated assembly and function. CCs are predictable a-helical assemblies in which oligomerization behavior can be tuned through sequence design, making them attractive scaffolds for incorporating metal-binding functionalities in a controlled manner. In this project, CC motifs will be engineered to bind metal ions either through amino acid side chains, or through the incorporation of chelating ligands at the peptide termini or within the peptide sequence using solid-phase peptide synthesis-compatible derivatives. Introducing a chelator into each peptide is expected to enable the formation of metal-bridged CC assemblies, in which metal coordination can serve both structural and functional roles. Owing to their modular design, these systems enable advances in artificial metalloenzymes, imaging and sensing technologies, and nanocatalysis. By systematically varying chelator placement, metal identity and peptide length, this project aims to establish structure-function relationships governing metal-mediated CC assembly. Overall, this work contributes to the understanding of self-assembling peptide systems and supports the development of protein-based materials with multiple binding sites, allowing for stronger and more selective interactions relevant to drug discovery and biotechnology.

Faculty Supervisor:

Roland Roesler

Student:

Partner:

University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Biotechnology; Health and Related Sciences and Technology; Nanotechnology

University:

University of Calgary

Program: