MoSAIC Platform (Molecular Sequence Assembly & Information Coding, ISIS)
Publié le
As part of the targeted project “New Polymers as alternative”, a platform has been set up
Quentin COMBE, Assistant Engineer at the Laboratory of Informational Macromolecule Chemistry (LCMI), ISIS, tells us about this facility.
What are the objectives of this platform?
Our technical facility is used to synthesise macromolecules with defined molecular structures; in particular, those with precisely controlled monomer sequences. These macromolecules may be DNA, but may also be synthetic polymers, the latter being a distinctive feature of our technical facility.
How does this technical platform work?
We work with a range of robotic synthesis instruments. Our technical facilities include two DNA synthesisers: an Expedite and a K&A (H16). We also have a Chemspeed combinatorial synthesis platform (Synthesizer SLT II).
When we synthesise a sequence-controlled polymer, the key steps are:
- Preparation of solutions of the various monomers.
- Development of the method and sequence on the synthesis robot (optimisation of coupling/capping times according to the monomers).
- Synthesis of polymers on a solid support using different types of chemistry.
- Polymer cleavage.
- Purification of the polymer. These purification steps may involve simple column-based treatments, but we also have a preparative HPLC system available.
- Freeze-drying to obtain the desired powder.
- Analysis and validation of structure and purity by HPLC, GPC and LC-MS.
Some pictures of the technical platform
How long does it take to create a polymer?
Once the sequence has been selected and the monomers received, it takes two days to produce a polymer; sometimes a little longer if the polymer has never been studied before.
What is the benefit of this platform for the PEPR?
This method enables us not only to develop quick and simple strategies for the synthesis of digital polymers, but also to investigate innovative approaches to molecular design that allow us to tailor the informational properties of these polymers, such as their readability, erasability and durability.
What are the outlook for this technical facility?
In future, we would like to expand our technical facilities with further instruments, such as a peptide synthesiser and a mass spectrometry module for routine characterisation. For the time being, the MS characterisation of our polymers is carried out in collaboration with another platform on campus.
Plus de projets
