Synthetic biomolecular interfaces based on rSAM technology for multivalent capture and release of lipid vesicles and cancer exosomes

The topic of this project concerns the development of synthetic biointerfaces for capture and release of biological nanoparticles such as cancer exosomes and lipid vesicles.

Reversible self-assembled monolayers are pH-switchable version of classical SAMs allowing a reversible introduction of affinity reagents in a layered architecture.

As for traditional SAMs, rSAM are tunable with respect to the nature of the head group and layer order and stability but contrasts with the former by featuring pH responsiveness and a lipid bilayer like fluidic nature.

The work performed thus far shows that this results in a range of unique supramolecular features e.g. strongly enhanced multivalent interactions, ultralow detection limits in virus and lectin sensing, surface restorability and pronounced and tunable modulation of cell-adhesion.

The key to a successful implementation of the rSAM technology is the ability to fine tune structural parameters of the layers.

This comprises rSAM order, rinse stability, operational pH range, ligand presentation, lateral mobility of the layer components and importantly their nonfouling properties.

Focusing on the latter aspect, we here aim to optimize the interplay of antifouling properties and highly specific multivalent binding to target receptor-ligand systems.

Our strategy will be developed using a combination of chemistry, biophysics, and machine learning to design and utilize synthetic biointerfaces for capture-and-release detection applications.