Photosensitization reactions in membranes: from basic science to research development

• Grant number: 14/50134-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2014
• End date: March 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Molecular Biophysics
• Agreement: CNRS
• Principal Investigator: Mauricio da Silva Baptista
• Grantee: Mauricio da Silva Baptista
• Principal researcher abroad: Carlos S. Marques
• Institution abroad: Institut Charles Sadron (ICS), France
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 12/50680-5 - Photosensitization in life sciences, AP.TEM

Abstract

The French and Brazilian groups have made important scientific contributions to the field of lipid bilayer oxidation over the last eight years, training several new researchers in the field, in a truly bilateral collaborative strategy for tackling the challenges in this emerging Science Field. We will now call upon the support of a FAPESP-CNRS grant to further develop our common efforts. Indeed, we are at a turning point of the collaboration, where the studies proposed on this project can provide for mechanistic knowledge of membrane transformations induced by lipid oxidation such that it will be possible to construct more efficient photosensitizers, as well as, to develop molecules and polymers that could protect the membrane from these changes. We therefore aim at reinforcing the interactions between junior and senior scientists in our groups, developing new tools and unlocking key questions in this important area at the cross roads of Chemistry, Physics and Biology. (AU)