SENSiTRANS · Visible-light-activated transmembrane transport by photosensitized isomerization of stiff-stilbene based anion receptors

Stimuli-responsive transmembrane anion transport proteins are essential for cellular life due to their implication in important biological functions. Supramolecular systems with analogous properties have been developed, however, most of them rely on the use of damaging UV light. SENSiTRANS is an ambitious and multidisciplinary project aimed at activation of anion transporters using visible light by means of a sensitization strategy. The project focuses on the employment of photosensitizers able to trigger isomerization of stiff-stilbene based receptors in the lipid bilayer, allowing activation of passive transmembrane transport. In addition, insertion of the photosensitizer in a vectorial manner into the lipid bilayer will be explored towards light-driven active transport. The project will result in i) the development of a new strategy to control transmembrane transport with transformative impact in the field of molecular photoswitches and anion receptor chemistry, ii) preparation and growth of the fellow towards a fully independent academic career (the new scientific research skills, complementary soft skills and scientific connections she will acquire will provide her with the necessary competencies to access an academic position at an European institution), and iii) benefit from her multidisciplinary scientific background and her scientific network by the hosting group.