Reference number : GC-2017-Q1-03412, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Woolley, Andrew (University of Toronto), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Ontario, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Discovery Grants Program - Individual, program name french : Programme de subventions à la découverte - individuelles, program purpose english : We aim to develop general ways to control protein function using light. In so doing, we make new photoswitchable molecules and learn how to couple these to proteins to drive functional transitions. We explore how natural photo-proteins can evolve new function and we develop in vitro evolution and selection methods to generate tools for chemical biology. 
 
We are taking two general approaches to achieve these goals. The first is a 'bottom-up' approach starting with the chromophore and designing photo-proteins de novo. We propose to modify the chromophore azobenzene, which can be reversibly switched between trans and cis states by light, so that it switches with near-infrared light. A near-IR switchable azobenzene core would enable advances in photopharmacology, biomedical engineering and drug delivery. We aim to find general ways to attach azobenzene-based switches to proteins to control protein folding and thereby function. We will use a combinatorial approach to find azobenzene based cross-linkers and cross-linking sites that permit photo-control of fynomers, which are small antibody alternatives. In parallel, we will test a novel bio-orthogonal labelling approach for targeting intracellular proteins, where thiol-based cross-linking is complicated by the presence of glutathione. 
 
Our second approach starts with a naturally-occurring photo-proteins, explores how these work and tries to engineer them as elements for driving change in other proteins. In the process of re-engineering natural photo-proteins, we discovered remarkable light-induced structural transitions including domain swapping and beta-strand slippage. These light-driven phenomena reveal surprising fundamental features of protein dynamics. We aim to test where duplication of a beta strand is generally tolerated in beta-sheets and how often this can lead to new function. Finally, we will explore new phage display technologies to select and evolve photo-proteins., program purpose french : We aim to develop general ways to control protein function using light. In so doing, we make new photoswitchable molecules and learn how to couple these to proteins to drive functional transitions. We explore how natural photo-proteins can evolve new function and we develop in vitro evolution and selection methods to generate tools for chemical biology. 
 
We are taking two general approaches to achieve these goals. The first is a 'bottom-up' approach starting with the chromophore and designing photo-proteins de novo. We propose to modify the chromophore azobenzene, which can be reversibly switched between trans and cis states by light, so that it switches with near-infrared light. A near-IR switchable azobenzene core would enable advances in photopharmacology, biomedical engineering and drug delivery. We aim to find general ways to attach azobenzene-based switches to proteins to control protein folding and thereby function. We will use a combinatorial approach to find azobenzene based cross-linkers and cross-linking sites that permit photo-control of fynomers, which are small antibody alternatives. In parallel, we will test a novel bio-orthogonal labelling approach for targeting intracellular proteins, where thiol-based cross-linking is complicated by the presence of glutathione. 
 
Our second approach starts with a naturally-occurring photo-proteins, explores how these work and tries to engineer them as elements for driving change in other proteins. In the process of re-engineering natural photo-proteins, we discovered remarkable light-induced structural transitions including domain swapping and beta-strand slippage. These light-driven phenomena reveal surprising fundamental features of protein dynamics. We aim to test where duplication of a beta strand is generally tolerated in beta-sheets and how often this can lead to new function. Finally, we will explore new phage display technologies to select and evolve photo-proteins., agreement title english : Chemical and biological photoswitches, agreement title french : Chemical and biological photoswitches, agreement number : RGPIN, agreement value : 450000.0, agreement start date : 2017-05-10, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year. (2017-2018 to 2022-2023), additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier. (2017-2018 à 2022-2023), owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada