Peptide and Supramolecular Engineering for Delivery and Molecular Recognition

Abstract

This research is framed within Supramolecular Chemistry, a discipline exploring systems organized through non-covalent interactions, applied to understanding biological processes and developing functional materials. The investigation mainly focuses on unconventional secondary structures of DNA known as junctions, particularly three way and four way junctions. These structures are relevant due to their roles in DNA recombination, repair mechanisms, and their involvement in diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. The goal is to design supramolecular compounds with specific symmetry capable of selectively recognizing and stabilizing these DNA structures, exploiting their largely untapped therapeutic potential. Additionally, the project investigates collagen-mimetic peptides, structures mimicking natural collagen that can be stabilized by metal coordination, forming complexes with potential specific affinity for 3WJ DNA structures.