Energy transduction in KInetically asymmetric catalytic NETworks

Endergonic processes are central to Life. They are achieved by enzymes, that change conformation during their catalytic cycle. Thus, biological non-equilibrium processes are catalysis-driven. The realization of catalysis-driven processes in artificial systems proved challenging.

It remains limited to synthetically demanding interlocked structures, which were upgraded with catalytic features affecting ring sliding motion.With KI-NET, I want to develop a general biomimetic strategy enabling endergonic processes driven by chemical catalysis.

I plan to invert the current approach by introducing defined conformational freedom into simple catalytic units.KI-NET scientific objectives go beyond state of the art in chemically-driven non-equilibrium systems, with the aim to:(i) establish an unconventional theoretical approach based on “effective transition states”, that guides experiments and reveals common underlying principles for catalysis-driven processes and chemical oscillations;(ii) realize endergonic conformation changes powered by catalytic processes, including ATP hydrolysis;(iii) promote endergonic assembly reactions, that will reveal how energy consumption directs chemical adaptation;(iv) realize an artificial synthase: a catalyst that harvests energy from one reaction and uses it to drive a different one.I will implement a theory-guided experimental approach at the interface between systems chemistry and molecular machines.

Leveraging my broad chemistry background, I will address questions that expand towards physics – in terms of formalizing models – and biology – in terms of operating systems to be imitated and unraveled.Realizing KI-NET allows overcoming thermodynamic boundaries.

Unforeseen opportunities become possible in material science and energy management, such as the realization of artificial mitochondria.

Indeed, KI-NET pioneers a largely unexplored area of science at the roots of dissipative systems, complex phenomena, and –ultimately, Life.