Scientists have made a significant advancement in addressing one of chemistry’s longstanding challenges by figuring out how to program molecules to self-assemble in a predictable and desirable manner. Their innovative ‘Malteser-like’ molecules could eventually be utilized for a variety of applications, including highly sensitive and specific sensors, as well as next-generation targeted drug delivery systems.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have achieved a breakthrough in one of the most persistent challenges in chemistry, mastering the art of programming the self-assembly of molecules to yield consistent and favorable results. Their “Malteser-like” molecules hold promise for a wide range of applications, from extremely sensitive sensors to advanced drug delivery systems that target specific areas.
Every component in biological systems displays an incredible ability to self-organize precisely to produce molecules essential for the survival and flourishing of organisms within fluctuating environments.
However, despite remarkable scientific advancements, our understanding of these processes remains incomplete. The real challenge—and exciting opportunity—for chemists is to decipher these mechanisms and learn to control them so that molecules can be programmed to perform specific tasks reliably.
This research was conducted by a team led by Prof. Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson at the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI), in collaboration with Prof. John Boland at CRANN. Both teams are part of Trinity College Dublin’s School of Chemistry and the AMBER Research Ireland Centre, while Prof. Robert Pal from Durham University’s Department of Chemistry also played a pivotal role in this project.
Aramballi Savyasachi, the primary author and a former PhD student at Trinity’s School of Chemistry currently at TBSI, stated, “We have developed amino acid-based ‘ligands’ that self-assemble into structures that are reliably and predictably dependent on the amino acid used. Amino acids, often termed the building blocks of life, come together to form proteins, and different amino acid sequences give rise to a vast array of proteins, each with unique functions.”
“Given this, it’s not surprising that different amino acids lead to varied self-assembly outcomes—resulting in either a soft, gel-like substance or more robust ‘Malteser molecules.’ What truly amazed us was our ability to largely control the process and results just by selecting certain amino acids. Moreover, introducing other molecules like lanthanide ions allows us to explore luminescence applications.”
Prof. Gunnlaugsson from the TBSI commented, “There are countless potential uses for this research, and a wealth of knowledge yet to be uncovered. The molecules we’ve created could eventually have applications in photonics and optical systems where highly specific sensors are essential, or in precisely targeted drug delivery systems.”
“For instance, specific enzymes increase in number when the body is combating an infection and start breaking down molecules. The breakdown products could activate a drug’s release precisely at the needed time and place, minimizing the side effects typically associated with less targeted treatments.”
Additionally, monitoring activity in the body in real-time could be achieved through luminescence.
Dr. Oxana Kotova from TBSI added, “Luminescence is a valuable outcome of certain molecular interactions from a biomedical standpoint. Collaborating with Professor Robert Pal at Durham University, we discovered that our ‘Malteser-like’ structures, when modified with lanthanide ions, emit circularly polarized light. This trait could enable visualization of site-specific interactions in biological environments or find applications in optoelectronic devices.”
“This success was only possible due to the interdisciplinary collaboration among chemists, biochemists, materials scientists, and physicists, led by Profs. Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson, John J. Boland, Robert Pal, Matthias E. Möbius, and D. Clive Williams.”
Commenting on the importance of this research, Professor Ronan Daly from the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge, who was not involved in the study but has expertise in the field, remarked:
“Engineers and scientists have been innovating in manufacturing for a long time, transforming materials into increasingly smaller and precise structures through a ‘top-down’ approach. This method is so effectively utilized in nearly every manufactured product, including the micro and nanoscale structures found in computer chips. Yet, nature continues to amaze scientists and engineers with its unmatched ability to create complex molecular structures that assemble perfectly at the molecular level, which then cluster together at a nanoscale, allowing for self-construction of everyday materials.”
This self-assembly is a thrilling area of research, where we can design materials ‘bottom-up’ as molecules come together naturally to create the desired structures. Although it is complicated and still challenging to manage, we have yet to match nature’s efficiency!
“This rigorous and exciting research offers new insights into how we can control self-assembly at the molecular level. It advances our understanding of the field and provides a consistent and reliable method for fabricating new nanoscale spheres, which could one day play a role in drug delivery, traveling through the body to release specific medications or gene therapies at the right locations.”
