Covalent Chaotropic Membrane Transport for Biotherapeutic Delivery (CARAMEL)

Chaotropic membrane transport of bioactive molecules

The development of synthetic compounds that transport impermeable bioactive molecules across cell membranes is vital in various fields. Recently, chaotropicity has been used to attract large cluster ions to hydrophobic surfaces. Boron clusters, which are inorganic, water-soluble, and globular, can aid in membrane transport despite their anionic charge. The ERC-funded CARAMEL project will use boron clusters as membrane carriers, moving away from traditional amphiphilic structures to leverage the (super)chaotropic properties of boron cluster anions. The project will establish a new framework for chaotropic membrane transport, conduct systematic screening to explore key physicochemical parameters, develop a predictive model for chaotropic transport based on the cargo, and test functional biomolecular hybrids to demonstrate their therapeutic potential.