Supporting UK Foldamer Scientists to Forge New Ideas and Connections
Foldamers are molecules that are capable of adopting predictable higher order structures, which can give them highly bespoke functionality. FoldNetUK is a pioneering scientific network funded by UKRI (EPSRC) and dedicated to enabling researchers working within this field and in related areas to connect. This will enable the discovery of new structures and applications of foldamers, from biology through to catalysis and materials.
Foldamers
Discover more about foldamers
What is a foldamer? What are their advantages? How might they help your research?
Funding opportunities
Learn what funding the network can bring to you
From the funding of lab visits and focus workshops to the strong support of Early Career Researchers, this network has plenty of opportunities to connect scientists within the UK Foldamer community both nationally and internationally.
Find a collaborator
Enabling collaboration
Our powerful search engine is designed to help you find a network member with the skills you might need. For example, you might search for a virologist to help with assays, or a computational chemist who can model the potential for a particular theoretical macromolecule to fold.
Theme one
Biological
From medicinal chemistry to chemical biology, this network theme is focused on the application of foldamers to the biological arena. For example, as peptide mimics to disrupt protein-protein interactions, DNA binders, and synthetic ion channels.
Lead by Professor Steven Cobb.
Theme two
Catalysis
The ability to precisely arrange functionality is a central advantage of foldamers when it comes to catalysis – whether that be metal mediated or organocatalytic/biologically inspired. This network theme aims to support the discovery of new constructs and their application towards all catalytic purposes from heterogeneous to homogeneous.
Lead by Dr Sarah Pike.
Theme three
Materials
This network theme is focused on the application of foldamers to the development of materials. From electroluminescent devices to conformational switching and systems that are capable of light-responsive hydrogen bonding, the potential for foldamer applications is immense. This theme aims to facilitate discussion and collaboration in this exciting area.
Lead by Professor Scott Cockroft.
The opportunities that the stable molecular architectures of foldamers present is as vast as it is exciting. Their use in anything from catalysis through to peptidomimetics, and the potential applications as state-of-the-art materials necessitates an interdisciplinary approach, and this EPSRC network will truly enable this.
Professor André Cobb, Director of FoldNetUK
News & Events
ECR Travel Bursary Spotlight: Nikhil Bajpayee, Federica Balduzzi, and Kushal Samanta
28 early-career researchers recently attended the International Symposium on Foldamers with support from the FoldNetUK Early Career Researcher (ECR) Travel Bursary Scheme. Here, we speak to three of these bursary recipients – Nikhil Baypayee, Federica Balduzzi, and Kushal Samanta – about their experiences.
Successful Funding for Pilot Research Projects Announced
Following the first FoldNetUK funding round, the FoldNetUK International Advisory Board approved two successful bids for Pilot Research Projects.
Opportunity to contribute to a special Foldamers Volume: Methods in Enzymology
Professor André Cobb has been asked to edit a Methods in Enzymology volume on Foldamers. It is particularly well-suited (and encouraged) to have contributions from PhD students, postdocs, or technicians as the protocol need not be original and will also count on their CV as a publication.
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Join the UK Foldamer Network
To engage with all the exciting opportunities and events this network has to offer, please register now. It’s quick and easy.