Award details

Steroidal facial amphiphiles as membrane fusogens and gene delivery agents

Reference	B16122
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Anthony Davis
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	University of Bristol
Department	Chemistry
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	176,872
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	06/06/2002
End date	06/06/2005
Duration	36 months

Abstract

Membrane fusion is a vital process for living systems, and is also relevant to drug delivery. Synthetic fusogens could throw light on natural fusion mechanisms, and could also serve as transfection agents for gene therapy. Facially amphiphilic peptide conformations have been proposed as fusion mediators in nature. Recently we have developed methods for preparing synthetic facial amphiphiles based on a rigid steroidal scaffold. Preliminary experiments, in collaboration with a US group, have shown that one such molecule is indeed an effective fusogen. We now propose to continue our collaboration, surveying a range of variations on our original structure. The structure-activity trends will be used to improve mechanistic understanding, and also to design improved fusogens and/or transfection agents with potential medical applications.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Biomolecular Sciences (BMS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

I accept the terms and conditions of use (opens in new window)

export PDF file

back to list new search