Influencing membrane-active peptides: Synthesis and characterization of hybrid molecules, development towards a molecular sensor

This thesis describes the synthesis and full characterization of DNA-peptide hybrid molecules. These hybrids employ pore-forming peptides to create pores in (e.g. cellular) membranes, while the DNA part influences the activity of the peptide part depending on its chemical environment, attempting to 'switch' the peptide on and off. In this work, the proof of principle is delivered that it is indeed possible to control a peptide, to a degree. More needs to be done to explore the extent of the possibilities and to, for instance, develop a molecular sensor or other practical application on this principle.
Also, the successful synthesis of a trifunctional scaffold to attach multiple labels on the same site of a peptide has been described, which has proven to be of potential interest to the biochemical community.
Lastly, it describes a synthetic route to conveniently obtain brightly coloured, electron-rich azobenzenes in good yields.