Functional polymeric nanopores from cyclic peptide templates

This research programme will develop nanotubes prepared through the self-assembly of cyclic peptide/polymer conjugates into funtional devices for applications as nanopores. We will establish the fundimental knowledge required to develop these materials into nanoporous polymeric films and transmembrane channels. The research programme will establish new synthetic routes to the conjugates, ascertain the technique of assembly into nanotubes, with particular focus on improving the precision with which we achieve structural control, and explore the use of the nanotubes to design nanopores, both in the solid state, to manufacture nanoporous materials, and within lipid membranes, to be used as antibiotic agents and as biosensors.