The synthesis of a maltose responsive switch

A cells interaction with its surroundings is governed by the flora of the cell surface. This complex landscape of structures provides an opportunity for the re-engineering of the surface and so the cells properties without the use of genetic modification. Applying the principles of supramolecular chemistry; surface proteins can be targeted with carbohydrate based ligands to form both stable and metabolite-responsive non-covalent complexes. This redecoration of the surfaces of bacteria will make it possible to control the interactions that a bacterium makes with its environment, whether in a patient or a bioreactor. In this project the transport protein maltoporin and maltose binding protein (MBP) will be utilised in the construction of a maltose responsive switch. Both proteins will be targeted with a maltose-based polymer which can thread through maltoporin on the cell surface to interact with MBP in the periplasm. In addition, the synthesis of molecules to probe the binding of maltoporin through biophysical experiments will be investigated.