Foldamers—large synthetic molecules that fold into predictable shapes—are being linked into a new UK-wide network to accelerate their development into real-world products. These unnatural molecules mimic the folding behaviour of proteins, but with far greater structural diversity. That versatility makes them promising for applications ranging from peptide therapies that block harmful protein interactions, to industrial catalysts, drug delivery systems, and molecular machines. Yet progress has been slowed by poor connections between research groups and with other scientific fields. The FoldNetUK network aims to fix that by creating formal links between chemists, biologists, materials scientists, and industry partners, and by opening the field to researchers who may not have considered using foldamers. If the network succeeds, it could accelerate the translation of foldamer research into commercially viable products. The peptide therapy market alone was worth £32.1 billion in 2022, and the catalysis industry £22.7 billion—both sectors where foldamers could have a significant impact. The network also prioritises support for early-career researchers and equity, diversity, and inclusion, working with Women in Supramolecular Chemistry to ensure the field grows in a sustainable and inclusive way.
View original technical description
Foldamers are large unnatural molecules which, owing to their inherent functionality, will fold in on themselves to make discrete and predictable higher order structures. The diversity of these structures means that they are one of the most promising areas of synthetic and supramolecular chemistry. Their potential applications span a diverse variety of impactful fields from peptide therapies through to catalysis. The former, which includes the targeting of pathogenic protein-protein interactions, was estimated to be worth £32.1B in 2022 with an estimated growth rate of 6.3% to 2023. Likewise, the catalysis industry was estimated to be worth £22.7B in 2022 with a 4.6% growth over the same period. These are just two examples of the sectors to which the contribution of foldamers could be profound, and that is without mentioning their potential in drug delivery, information transfer, molecular machines, and materials science. The UK has been at the forefront of foldamer research with respect to these fields, but despite the many impressive advances and innovations, further progress has undoubtedly been stymied by a lack of connectivity - not just between research groups developing foldamer structures for these applications, but also between the field itself and allied disciplines. A primary aim of this Network, therefore, is to enable mechanisms whereby new links between different structures and function within and without the field can be easily made and thus open new collaborations and areas of foldamer discovery. This could either be achieved by the cross-purposing of existing systems, or through the rational design of new ones. Whilst networking within the community is important, success will also be critical upon it being open to other communities who may not have considered the application of foldamers to their areas. We will ensure that we connect with them - particularly via established RSC interest groups. A further central aim of creating this network is to provide a strongly supportive environment for ECRs in a variety of ways, including grant-writing mentorship, and financial aid to attend meetings and promote the excellent work within the UK, as well as supporting an annual ECR focus meeting. We are also very committed to supporting EDI within the network and will be working very closely with WISC (Women in Supramolecular Chemistry) who have extensive experience in the support of minorities in the chemical sciences to advise us and to promote EDI issues to the Network.
Plain English summaries and category classifications on this site are generated by AI and may not perfectly reflect the original research.
Is something wrong? Let us know