A new source of bivalent molecules from nature (2019-2022)
Abstract
Multivalency is a key feature of molecular interaction in biology, underlying the high specificity and potency found in many proteins. This project will describe a new class of naturally occurring multivalent molecules termed "secreted cysteine-rich repeat proteins" (SCREPs). Focusing on bivalent peptides, the project will generate a database of bioactive SCREPs with similarity to known bioactive peptides, and develop new recombinant methods for their production. Advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy will be used to characterise members of this new class, providing new insights into the design of bivalent peptides and establishing a new source of molecules with applications in the rapidly growing biotechnology sector.
