Prof. Dr. Douglas Philp, University of St Andrews, UK
In through the Out door – Creating responsive and dynamic networks using synthetic replicators
The development and deployment of systems capable of molecular replication can deliver a synthetic machinery that is capable of directing and managing its own synthesis and participate in an organized hierarchy by interacting with other replicating systems. In this way, efficient protocols that allow replication, organization and emergent behaviour can be created within a wholly synthetic chemical context. This approach to predetermined dynamic behaviour has been termed “systems chemistry”.
Our lab has developed several molecular systems that are capable of replication by a variety of mechanisms. The ability of these individual replicating systems to function as modules within more complex reaction networks is related to their ability to bind reagents selectively and to accelerate the reactions between them.