‘Biomimetic Chemistry’ presents a conceptual approach to the art of model building attempting to imitate the activity of a biological system by emphasis on the function of a substrate rather than on its detailed molecular structure.
In the talk today I will center on the approach, governing the fundamental phenomenon of molecular recognition. The end goal is to formulate a set of rules essential to the design of molecules matching a specific biological system. Microbial iron-carriers, Siderophores, provide a useful platform for studying these principles. Several series of ferrichrome biomimetic analogs varying in length and polarity of the chains separating between the tripodal scaffold and the pendent FeIII chelating hydroxamic acid groups were prepared and studied. Microbial growth promotion was conducted on bacteria (E. coli, and P. putida) and fungi (U. maydis). These studies show a wide range of siderophore activity: from a rare case of species-specific growth promotor in P. putida to an analog with broad-spectrum activity matching ferrichrome in cross-phylum activity and uptake pathway. A fluorescent conjugate, to the broad-rang analog, provide clear images of the iron-free siderophore final destination in bacteria (periplasmic space) vs fungi (cytosol) mapping distinctly new therapeutic targets. Quantum Dots (QD) decorated with the most potent ferrichrome (FC) analog provided a tool for immobilization of FC-recognizing bacteria. Bacterial clusters formed around QDs, provide a platform for their selection and concentration.
The fascinating field of lanthanide-clusters will be introduces and their unique properties describe, possible future opportunities and application will be discussed.
