CaptuRel · Capture-and-Release Organic Nanomaterials for Optical Sensing and Control of Cells

Fluorescence sensing materials enable detection of biologically active molecules at the cellular level, whereas photo-responsive materials for molecular uncaging allow controlling cellular processes. Would it be possible to merge these two research fields? The aim of CaptuRel is intelligent fluorescent nanomaterials undergoing bioinspired cycle of specific capture/sensing and photorelease of naturally present bioactive species, protons and neurotransmitters (NTs), for sensing and controlling chemical gradients at the biological interface. These CaptuRel materials will use protons and NTs as messengers to establish chemical communication with other materials and cells in a two-way detection-action regime. They will be applied for sensing and controlling activity and connections of neurons. The project is composed of three work packages. (1) We will establish concepts of fluorescent artificial receptors that exploit adaptive and dynamic covalent chemistry with fluorescent dyes and recognition ligands in nanoparticles for specific reversible capture/sensing of NTs. They will change their fluorescence color/intensity on specific capture of NTs and lose their affinity to NTs at low pH. (2) We will introduce photoacid nanomaterials capable to generate and control pH gradients at distances 0-1000 nm and apply them for short-distance chemical communication with materials and cells. (3) We will obtain CaptuRel materials capable of NT capture and photorelease by coupling artificial receptors with photoacids. They will sense and control NT gradients at 1-100 µm distances and enable us to establish principles of long-distance material-material and material-cell communication based on NTs. This high-risk/high-gain multidisciplinary project will establish a paradigm-shifting concept of a nanomaterial capable to capture bioactive molecules in situ, allowing sensing biological events and then photorelease these molecules to control in space and time bio-activity at cellular level.