BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:researchseminars.org CALSCALE:GREGORIAN X-WR-CALNAME:researchseminars.org BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Michele Stasi (Technical University Munich) DTSTART:20240521T140000Z DTEND:20240521T160000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/1 DESCRIPTION:Title: Carbodiimide chemistry to drive DNA Nanotechnology\nby Michele Stas i (Technical University Munich) as part of Systems Chemistry Discussion Se ries\n\nAbstract: TBA\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/1/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Thomas Hermans (IMDEA Nanociencia) DTSTART:20240613T140000Z DTEND:20240613T150000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/2 DESCRIPTION:Title: A supramolecular oscillating system\nby Thomas Hermans (IMDEA Nanoc iencia) as part of Systems Chemistry Discussion Series\n\nAbstract: TBA\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/2/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Yoshiyuki Kageyama (Hokkaido University) DTSTART:20240613T150000Z DTEND:20240613T160000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/3 DESCRIPTION:Title: Robust Dynamics of Synthetic Molecular Systems as a Consequence of Brok en Symmetry\nby Yoshiyuki Kageyama (Hokkaido University) as part of Sy stems Chemistry Discussion Series\n\nAbstract: TBA\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/3/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Tessel Bouwens (University of Cambridge) DTSTART:20241030T150000Z DTEND:20241030T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/4 DESCRIPTION:Title: Application of molecular machinery in photoelectrochemical devices\ nby Tessel Bouwens (University of Cambridge) as part of Systems Chemistry Discussion Series\n\nAbstract: TBA\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/4/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Luis Pantaleone (University of Groningen) DTSTART:20241212T150000Z DTEND:20241212T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/5 DESCRIPTION:Title: The role of anisotropy in polymerization motors\nby Luis Pantaleone (University of Groningen) as part of Systems Chemistry Discussion Series\ n\n\nAbstract\nBiopolymerization motors are a class of cytoskeletal protei ns that can convert chemical energy into useful mechanical work by using s elf-assembly to mediate the energy transduction process. One of the key ch allenges in replicating the function of such biological machinery\, which operates in a fluid environment and at a scale dominated by Brownian motio n\, is to transfer the intrinsic directionality embedded in supramolecular architectures during the process of chemo-mechanical transduction. In thi s presentation we will discuss strategies aimed at differentiating the rea ctivity and dynamics of building blocks based on their supramolecular stru cture by using hierarchically structured materials with increased anisotro pic properties compared to traditional supramolecular polymers.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/5/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Sergey Semenov (Weizmann Institute of Science) DTSTART:20250114T150000Z DTEND:20250114T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/6 DESCRIPTION:Title: From life-inspired materials to the origin of life: dissipative structu res by molecular design.\nby Sergey Semenov (Weizmann Institute of Sci ence) as part of Systems Chemistry Discussion Series\n\n\nAbstract\nLiving matter functions conceptually differently from non-living matter. It is a ctive and is organized in\nspace and time through the interaction of five major types of processes: biochemical reactions\, diffusion\,\nnoncovalent self-assembly\, phase separation\, and mechanical motion. This design pro vides adaptivity\,\nevolvability\, and the ability to self-replicate\, whi ch are unique for life. In contrast\, the chemists’ ability to\nbuild dy namically organized systems (e.g.\, chemical oscillators) is limited. Inte rconnections and feedback\nloops between different processes make them non -modular (holistic) and\, consequently\, hard to\nunderstand and rationall y construct. Nevertheless\, the ability to construct dynamically organized systems\nopens possibilities (i) to obtain materials with life-like prope rties and (ii) to probe the role of dynamic\nself-assembly in the origin o f Life.\nIn this talk\, I propose using the chemists’ ability to design and synthesize molecules for the rational\nconstruction of dynamic systems and materials. I will illustrate this strategy with the rational design o f\nchemical oscillators\, waves\, patterns\, actuators\, and microstructur es. In perspective\, this work opens a\npath toward constructing life-like dynamic materials and observing emergent phenomena in prebiotically\nrele vant chemistry.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/6/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Max Notheis (University of Bonn) DTSTART:20250211T150000Z DTEND:20250211T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/7 DESCRIPTION:Title: A light-driven metallo-supramolecular "claw-machine"\nby Max Nothei s (University of Bonn) as part of Systems Chemistry Discussion Series\n\n\ nAbstract\nThe incorporation of light-responsive moieties into ligand arch itectures allows for the synthesis of adaptive metal-organic cages. These structures demonstrate potential for applications as molecular transporter s\, switchable catalysts\, and smart materials.[1] This work investigates the potential of photo-responsive M2L3 helicates as a light-controlled ‘ claw machine’ for selectively grabbing a metal ion. The structure self-a ssembles into a closed state with the diazocine photoswitch in its bent ci s ground state. Upon irradiation\, the photoswitch transitions into a meta stable and linear trans configuration\, inducing strain and weakening the metal-ligand bonds. This metastable state exhibits a much faster exchange rate in the metal replacement process. When the irradiation ceases\, therm al relaxation or irradiation with white light results in the structure rev erting to its original state. Like a claw machine\, the helicate offers sp atiotemporal control over the metal cation replacement process which is no t easily achieved using stimuli other than light.\n\n1. E. Benchimol\, J. Tessarolo and G. H. Clever\, Nat. Chem.\, 2024\, 16\, 13–21.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/7/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Stephen Fielden (University of Birmingham) DTSTART:20250304T150000Z DTEND:20250304T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/8 DESCRIPTION:Title: Systems Chemistry at the Nanoscale: Controlled fusion of polymer nanopa rticles\nby Stephen Fielden (University of Birmingham) as part of Syst ems Chemistry Discussion Series\n\n\nAbstract\nParticle fusion is key for combining the properties of multiple biological components. For example\, cell fusion plays a crucial role in infection\, muscle formation and tissu e repair.1 The ability to direct analogous co-assembly between populations of synthetic nanoparticles also provides access to hybrid materials. Typi cally\, this relies on incorporating complementary recognition units onto particle surfaces to thermodynamically favour co-assembly.2 Here I present a fundamentally different approach\, where kinetically controlled hetero- fusion occurs between two populations of unfunctionalised polymer nanopart icles.3\,4 Fusion extent can be tuned simply by adjusting polymer length. We probed fusion using an elemental tag for cryogenic scanning transmissio n electron microscopy combined with electron energy loss spectroscopy (cry o-STEM-EELS). Our results demonstrate emergence of a complex process when populations of synthetic nanoparticles are combined. We anticipate systems -level behaviour that results from such hetero-fusion will be fashioned as an elementary mechanism of synthetic communication that enables future te chnologies. \n\nReferences\n\n1. McNew\, J. A. et al. Compartmental specif icity of cellular membrane fusion encoded in SNARE proteins. Nature 407\, 153–159 (2000).\n\n2. Fan\, Y. et al. Co-assembly of Synthetic Particles with Heterogenous Components. Chem. Mater. 36\, 4011–4033 (2024).\n\n3. Fielden\, S. D. P.\, Derry\, M. J.\, Miller\, A. J.\, Topham\, P. D. & O' Reilly\, R. K. Triggered Polymersome Fusion. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 145\, 5824 –5833 (2023).\n\n4. Fielden\, S. D. P. Kinetically Controlled and Nonequ ilibrium Assembly of Block Copolymers in Solution. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 146\, 18781–18796 (2024).\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/8/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Karina Nakashima (University of Cambridge) DTSTART:20250401T140000Z DTEND:20250401T153000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/9 DESCRIPTION:Title: Coacervates in a nucleic acid-peptide world – from complex mixtures t o functional protocells\nby Karina Nakashima (University of Cambridge) as part of Systems Chemistry Discussion Series\n\n\nAbstract\nMixtures of oppositely charged polypeptides are known to undergo liquid-liquid phase separation\, specifically through complex coacervation. Peptide/peptide co acervates support a “peptide-first” hypothesis for the origin of life\ ; however\, with the rise of systems chemistry\, more heterogeneous scenar ios have gained traction. Recent studies suggest that nucleotides and amin o acids could have simultaneously formed and polymerized into short\, non- coded peptide\, DNA\, and RNA oligomers. In this talk\, I will demonstrate how a systems chemistry approach can help explain the emergence of functi onal protocells\, sharing our recent work on peptide/nucleic acid coacerva tes. Our findings suggest that even in the early stages of a nucleic acid- peptide world\, coacervate droplets likely formed. I will explore how incr eased compositional complexity—such as heteropolymers\, polydisperse mix tures\, and mismatched charge concentrations—affects droplet properties like stability and viscosity. Supporting the idea that compositional diver sity is crucial for origin-of-life hypotheses\, I will show that coacervat es composed of mixed short DNA and RNA strands offer advantages over those composed of a single nucleic acid\, striking an optimal balance of stabil ity and viscosity to facilitate RNA primer extension.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/9/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Ryou Kubota (Kyushu University) DTSTART:20250701T130000Z DTEND:20250701T143000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/10 DESCRIPTION:Title: Self-sorting and Dynamic Instability in Cell-inspired Multicomponent S upramolecular Hydrogels\nby Ryou Kubota (Kyushu University) as part of Systems Chemistry Discussion Series\n\n\nAbstract\nCytoskeletons are comp osed of distinct supramolecular fibers made of proteins such as microtubul es and actin filaments. These fibers are self-sorted and dynamically under go assembly and disassembly with reversible noncovalent interactions in th e orthogonal manner\, enabling cells to maintain and modulate their mechan ical properties in response to external perturbations. Inspired by these e legant biological supramolecular systems\, we have achieved: (1) the const ruction of supramolecular double-network hydrogels through self-sorting of structurally distinct peptide- and lipid-type hydrogelators\, and (2) the realization of synthetic dynamic instability by hybridizing peptide-type self-assembled fibers with surfactant micelles\, in which the supramolecul ar fibers exhibit autonomous cycles of growth and shrinkage during the tra nsient state prior to reaching thermodynamic equilibrium. In this presenta tion\, I will discuss recent progress in the development of such multi-com ponent and non-equilibrium supramolecular hydrogel systems.\n\n\nReference s:\n\nS. Torigoe\, K. Nagao\, R. Kubota*\, I. Hamachi*\, Emergence of dyna mic instability by hybridizing synthetic self-assembled dipeptide fibers w ith surfactant micelles. JACS 146\, 5799–5805 (2024).\n\nhttps://pubs.ac s.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.3c14565\n\n\nK. Nakamura\, W. Tanaka\, K. Sada\, R. Kubota\, T. Aoyama\, K. Urayama\, I. Hamachi*\, Phototriggered spatially controlled out-of-equilibrium patterns of peptide nanofibers in a self-sor ting double network hydrogel. JACS 143\, 19532–19541 (2021).\n\nhttps:// pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.1c09172\n\n\nH. Shigemitsu\, T. Fujisaku\, W . Tanaka\, R. Kubota\, S. Minami\, K. Urayama\, I. Hamachi\, An adaptive s upramolecular hydrogel comprising self-sorting double nanofibre networks. Nat. Nanotechnol. 13\, 165–172 (2018).\n\nhttps://www.nature.com/article s/s41565-017-0026-6\n\n\nS. Onogi\, H. Shigemitsu\, T. Yoshii\, T. Tanida\ , M. Ikeda\, R. Kubota\, I. Hamachi\, In situ real-time imaging of self-so rted supramolecular nanofibers. Nat. Chem. 8\, 743–752 (2016).\n\nhttps: //www.nature.com/articles/nchem.2526\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/10/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Francesco Avanzini (University of Padova) DTSTART:20250506T140000Z DTEND:20250506T153000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/11 DESCRIPTION:Title: Nonideal Reaction-Diffusion Systems: Routes to Instability and Thermod ynamics\nby Francesco Avanzini (University of Padova) as part of Syste ms Chemistry Discussion Series\n\n\nAbstract\nWe will present a framework describing the dynamics and thermodynamics of open non-ideal reaction-diff usion systems\, which embodies Flory-Huggins' theories of mixtures and che mical reaction network theories. Our theory elucidates the mechanisms unde rpinning the emergence of self-organized dissipative structures in these s ystems. On the one hand\, it identifies the nature of the instabilities yi elding self-organization. On the other hand\, it also reveals the role of the reaction network in powering and shaping these structures. This framew ork opens the way to investigating the energetic cost of phenomena such as liquid-liquid phase separation\, coacervation\, and the formation of biom olecular condensates.\n\nReferences\n\nPhys. Rev. Lett. 131 138301 (2023)\ n\nJ. Chem. Phys. 161 174108 (2024)\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/11/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Benjamin M. W. Roberts\; Emanuele Penocchio (University of Padova\ ; Northwestern University) DTSTART:20250610T140000Z DTEND:20250610T153000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/12 DESCRIPTION:Title: An information ratchet improves selectivity in molecular recognition u nder nonequilibrium conditions: experiments and theory\nby Benjamin M. W. Roberts\; Emanuele Penocchio (University of Padova\; Northwestern Univ ersity) as part of Systems Chemistry Discussion Series\n\n\nAbstract\nMole cular recognition is essential for controlling molecular-level processes\, passing molecular instructions for responses including structure formatio n\, signalling\, and replication. Usually\, the selectivity of molecular r ecognition is under thermodynamic control\, however\, where a higher fidel ity is required\, nature improves recognition selectivity by using an ener gy-dissipating kinetic-control regime in which error correction can be per formed. Although widespread in nature\, this approach has so far remained largely unexplored in an abiotic context. Exploiting DNA hybridisation as a model\, we show that an information ratchet mechanism increases selectiv ity for the ‘correct’ duplex from 2:1 at equilibrium to 6:1 under ener gy-dissipating conditions. Structural asymmetry in the DNA strands introdu ces kinetic asymmetry in the reaction network\, enabling enrichment under nonequilibrium conditions without kinetic differentiation originating from complex bio-machinery. Furthermore\, error reduction based on relatively minimalistic structures points a way toward solving Eigen’s paradox by s howing that complex structures are not necessary to increase molecular rec ognition fidelities above the thermodynamically expected values.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/12/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Patrick Hoffmann (University of Ulm) DTSTART:20251202T150000Z DTEND:20251202T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/13 DESCRIPTION:Title: Autonomous Phosphodiester Reaction Cycles and Efficient Oxygen-Exchang e Methods in Phosphate Chemistry\nby Patrick Hoffmann (University of U lm) as part of Systems Chemistry Discussion Series\n\n\nAbstract\nIn the f irst part of the talk\, I will present a reaction cycle based on the carbo diimide-driven formation of cyclic phosphodiesters and their selective rin g opening via cleavage of only one P–O bond. This inherent preference pr ovides the physical-organic basis for directional “walking” of a phosp hate group along two molecular tracks carrying alcohol footholds. I will a lso outline endergonic synthetic opportunities enabled by this mechanism. Kinetic modelling clarifies the origin of kinetic selectivity\, the requir ements for autonomous walking\, and the system’s fuel efficiency.\n\nThe second part focuses on an applied systems-chemistry method for efficient oxygen exchange on phosphate species. Together with my colleague Steffen\, we optimized this reaction and show that nucleotide phosphate groups can be labelled with up to 96% efficiency\, while a second approach addresses the challenge of achieving regioselective labelling on triphosphates.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/13/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Alexander Dack (Imperial College London) DTSTART:20251104T150000Z DTEND:20251104T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/14 DESCRIPTION:Title: Recurrent neural chemical reaction networks that approximate arbitrary dynamics\nby Alexander Dack (Imperial College London) as part of Syst ems Chemistry Discussion Series\n\n\nAbstract\nMany important phenomena in biochemistry and biology exploit dynamical features such as multi-stabili ty\, oscillations\, and chaos. Construction of novel chemical systems with such rich dynamics is a challenging problem central to the fields of synt hetic biology and molecular nanotechnology. In this work\, we address this problem by putting forward a molecular version of a recurrent artificial neural network\, which we call the recurrent neural chemical reaction netw ork (RNCRN). The RNCRN uses a modular architecture - a network of chemical neurons - to approximate arbitrary dynamics.\n\nWe prove that with suffic iently many chemical neurons and suitably fast reactions\, the RNCRN can b e systematically trained to achieve any well-behaved dynamics. RNCRNs with relatively small number of chemical neurons and a moderate range of react ion rates are then trained on ordinary differential equations (ODEs) to di splay a variety of biologically-important dynamical features including osc illations\, robustness\, and bifurcations. We then introduce an algorithm for producing designer dynamics without an underlying ODE model\, simply b y specifying desired dynamical features. We produce chemical reaction netw orks with irregular dynamic behaviours including a heart-shaped attractor\ , disjoint attractors\, and a toroidal attractor.\n\nWe then train chemica l systems to toggle between two data-defined target dynamical behaviours ( i.e. approximate a discrete-continuous hybrid system). We show that the sw itching behaviour of these hybrid systems can be trained to depend on non- linear conditions of upstream chemical parameters leading to abstract chem ical systems reminiscent of the regulatory framework found in life. Finall y\, we argue that small RNCRNs are experimentally implementable with DNA-s trand-displacement technologies and discuss implementation approaches more broadly in synthetic biology.\n\n[1] A. Dack\, B. Qureshi\, T. E. Ouldrid ge\, and T. Plesa\, “Recurrent neural chemical reaction networks that ap proximate arbitrary dynamics\,” 2024.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/14/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Keith Andrews (Durham University) DTSTART:20250909T140000Z DTEND:20250909T153000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/15 DESCRIPTION:Title: Compartmentalising Catalysis\nby Keith Andrews (Durham University) as part of Systems Chemistry Discussion Series\n\n\nAbstract\nKeith works at Durham University (https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/keith-g-andrews). Hi s research in the fundamentals of catalysis lies on the peripheries of our usual systems chemistry discussion themes\, however\, given the central r ole of catalysis in driving nonequilibrium systems\, his talk should be of great interest. Keith applies principles from supramolecular chemistry to create enzyme mimics to address key questions: “Why are we so terrible at catalysis compared to biology? What are we missing?”. He is moving to wards a more systems based approach to address some of the big problems th at he is tackling. Keith’s talk explores the fundamental principles of c atalysis\, touching on aspects of electric fields (JACS 2024\, ChemRxiv 20 25)\, compartmentalisation (JACS 2025) and dynamics (BJOC 2025).\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/15/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Thomas Ouldridge (Imperial College London) DTSTART:20251104T150000Z DTEND:20251104T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/16 DESCRIPTION:Title: The physical limits of molecular templating\nby Thomas Ouldridge ( Imperial College London) as part of Systems Chemistry Discussion Series\n\ n\nAbstract\nThe systems of the biological cell achieve awesome and inspir ational feats of molecular assembly. A paradigmatic example is the selecti ve assembly of essentially arbitrary functional RNA and protein molecules from only a small number of building blocks. This process is made possible by the copying of information from a DNA template sequence into the seque nce of daughter polymers (RNA and then proteins).\n\nTemplating is essenti al in creating biochemical complexity in living systems\, but it is almost entirely ignored in synthetic contexts. We argue that this oversight larg ely results from the fact that templating is necessarily an extraordinaril y far from equilibrium process\, making it hard to engineer. We also ask: given that accurate templating results in a far from equilibrium system\, how much chemical work must be put in to maintain such a state in an arbit rary system in which products are continuously produced and degraded? We f ind that the accuracy of the product ensemble is upper bounded\, by a fun ction of ΔG\, the difference between the maximal and minimal free-energy changes along pathways to product assembly. Remarkably\, however\, althoug h ΔG constrains the information propagated to the product distribution\, the systems that saturate the bound do not look like their biological coun terparts\, instead operating in a pseudo-equilibrium fashion\, with produc tion and degradation for each product sequence largely occurring via the s ame pathway in forward and reverse directions\, rather than through the fr ee-energy consuming cycles observed in biology. Indeed\, the larger the cy clic flux observed in the system\, the worse the precision. This surprisin g result raises the question of why biology operates in the limit of large cyclic flux\, and also suggests a possible low-energy paradigm for molecu lar computation.\n\n[1] T. E. Ouldridge* and P. R. ten Wolde. Fundamental costs in the production and destruction of persistent polymer copies. Phys . Rev. Lett. 118: 158103 (2017).\n\n[2] B. Qureshi\, J. M. Poulton and T. E. Ouldridge*.Thermodynamic limits on general far-from-equilibrium molecul ar templating networks. In press at Newton\; preprint arXiv:2404.02791.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/16/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Jiarong Wu & Jake Greenfield (University of St Andrews) DTSTART:20250113T150000Z DTEND:20250113T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/17 DESCRIPTION:by Jiarong Wu & Jake Greenfield (University of St Andrews) as part of Systems Chemistry Discussion Series\n\nAbstract: TBA\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/17/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Dr Jake Greenfield (University of St Andrews) DTSTART:20260203T150000Z DTEND:20260203T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/18 DESCRIPTION:Title: Using Photoswitchable Imines to Drive (dark)Transimination Reactions U phill\nby Dr Jake Greenfield (University of St Andrews) as part of Sys tems Chemistry Discussion Series\n\n\nAbstract\nMolecules and materials co mprised of dynamic-covalent imine bonds display many desirable \npropertie s\, including stimuli-responsiveness\, recyclability\, and effortless prep aration\, among \nothers. However\, the E/Z photochromism of imines has of ten been overlooked due to \nhistorically poor performance compared to oth er photoswitches\, typically showing less than \n50% conversion to the met astable state and thermal half-lives of under one minute.1 Recently\, \nwe developed a strategy that significantly improves these photoswitching pro perties\, achieving \nquantitative E-to-Z conversion with visible light an d extending the thermal half-lives of the \nmetastable Z-state to over one day.2\,3 We further found that the regiochemistry of the C=N \nbond plays a significant role in the switching behavior.3\,4 Through a systematic in vestigation\, a \nset of design rules for this novel class of imine photos witch has now been reported\,5 along with \nthe first crystal structure of an arylimine in its metastable Z-conformation.4\nWith these improved phot oswitching properties\, we explored the light-dependent dynamiccovalent c hemistry of these photoswitches. To our surprise\, we found that they can drive \ntransimination reactions energetically uphill when irradiated with light\,6 operating via a \nmechanism akin to a light-driven information r atchet.7 Moreover\, a non-photoresponsive \ntransimination could be driven out-of-equilibrium by coupling it to the photoresponsive \ntransimination reaction.8 This talk will provide an overview of our recent progress in t his area.9\nReferences\n\n(1) Greb\, L.\; Vantomme\, G.\; Lehn\, J-M. In M olecular Photoswitches\; Wiley\, 2022\; pp 325–349. \n\n(2) Wu\, J.\; Kr eimendahl\, L.\; Tao\, S.\; Anhalt\, O.\; Greenfield\, J. L. Chem. Sci. 20 24\, 15 (11)\, 3872–3878.\n\n(3) Wu\, J.\; Li\, C.\; Kreimendahl\, L.\; Greenfield\, J. L. Chem. Commun. 2024\, 60 (85)\, 12365–12368. \n\n(4) W u\, J.\; Kreimendahl\, L.\; Greenfield\, J. L. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025\ , e202415464. \n\n(5) Wu\, J.\; Kreimendahl\, L.\; Greenfield\, J. L. J. A m. Chem. Soc. 2025\, jacs.5c02404.\n\n(6) Wu\, J.\; Greenfield\, J. L. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024\, 146 (30)\, 20720–20727.\n\n(7) Serreli\, V.\; Lee\ , C.-F.\; Kay\, E. R.\; Leigh\, D. A. Nature 2007\, 445 (7127)\, 523–527 . \n\n(8) Wu\, J.\; Greenfield\, J. L. Chem 2025\, 102579. \n\n(9) Wu\, J. \; Greenfield\, J. L. Chem. Sci. 2025\, 16 (39)\, 17991–18004.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/18/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Héctor Soria Carrera DTSTART:20260303T150000Z DTEND:20260303T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/19 DESCRIPTION:Title: Genotype-Phenotype Coupling in Fuel-Dependent Synthetic Cells with an Autocatalyst\nby Héctor Soria Carrera as part of Systems Chemistry Di scussion Series\n\n\nAbstract\nThe central dogma of molecular biology desc ribes how a genotype influences a phenotype by transferring genetic inform ation from DNA to RNA to proteins\, thereby shaping the cell’s traits. R eciprocally\, the phenotype affects the success of the genotype by determi ning the organism’s ability to survive\, reproduce\, and thereby pass on its genetic material. This reciprocal genotype-phenotype relationship is crucial for Darwinian evolution. Creating de novo life from scratch faces the challenge of establishing a similar coupling between genotype and phen otype. This study uses fuel-dependent synthetic cells to explore genotype- phenotype coupling. We endowed these synthetic cells with a genotype in th e form of a replicator. The droplets selectively filter building blocks\, decreasing the replication error rate. Reciprocally\, the replicator prolo ngs the droplet’s lifespan but only when produced in the droplets. Excit ingly\, under fuel-starvation conditions\, the prolonged lifetime results in increased replicator fidelity. Thus\, we show the genotype helps the ph enotype\, which\, in the end\, helps the genotype again—genotype-phenoty pe coupling in a synthetic system. Future research aims to achieve autonom ous division of these compartments for generational transfer of the replic ator.\n\nReference\n\nH.Soria-Carrera\, L. Kauling and J. Boekhoven "Primi tive genotype-phenotype coupling in fuel-dependent synthetic cells with an autocatalyst"\, Chem \, 2026\, 12\, 102816.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/19/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Ghislaine Vantomme (TU Eindhoven) DTSTART:20260407T140000Z DTEND:20260407T153000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/20 DESCRIPTION:Title: From Responsive to Adaptive Supramolecular Materials”\nby Ghisla ine Vantomme (TU Eindhoven) as part of Systems Chemistry Discussion Series \n\n\nAbstract\nSupramolecular chemistry provides powerful strategies to c onstruct materials whose properties are more than the sum of their molecul ar parts\, emerging from non-covalent interactions. In this lecture\, I wi ll show how molecular design and ordered supramolecular structures can be used to translate molecular events into macroscopic function. Through sele cted examples from our work\, I will highlight systems that display stimul i-responsiveness\, and history-dependent behavior. I will also briefly pre sent our ongoing efforts to build a self-driving laboratory platform for c oatings\, integrating automation and data-driven optimization to accelerat e the discovery of supramolecular materials. These advances open new direc tions toward functional molecular systems with applications in biointerfac es\, (opto)electronics\, and sustainable materials.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/20/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Pushpita Ghosh (Indian Institute of Science Educaton and Research Thriruvananthapuram) DTSTART:20260512T130000Z DTEND:20260512T143000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T212705Z UID:SysChemDis/21 DESCRIPTION:Title: Minimal reaction-diffusion mechanism for spatiotemporal patterning in fuel-driven supramolecular polymerization\nby Pushpita Ghosh (Indian I nstitute of Science Educaton and Research Thriruvananthapuram) as part of Systems Chemistry Discussion Series\n\n\nAbstract\nChemically fueled supra molecular systems provide a versatile platform for generating nonequilibri um structures and dynamics reminiscent of biological organization. In this talk I will discuss a minimal reaction–diffusion framework for a fuel-d riven supramolecular polymerization system that couples activation–deact ivation chemistry with cooperative assembly and fragmentation. The model c aptures autonomous oscillations arising from a Hopf bifurcation and shows how temporal instabilities extend into spatial organization upon inclusion of diffusion. We demonstrate that the interplay between nonlinear reactio n kinetics and length-dependent transport gives rise to traveling polymeri zation fronts and complex spatiotemporal patterns. Importantly\, the model predicts accelerated wavefront propagation with super-diffusive scaling\, revealing a fundamentally nonequilibrium transport mechanism driven by re active feedback. These findings establish a minimal physical framework lin king dissipative self-assembly with active matter and provide design princ iples for programmable\, life-like supramolecular materials.\n\nReferences :\n\n1) Sharko\, A.\; Livitz\, D.\; De Piccoli\, S.\; Bishop\, K. J. M.\; Hermans\, T. M\, “Insights into Chemically Fueled Supramolecular Poly mers”\, Chemical Reviews 2022\, 122\, 11759-11777.\n\n2) Leira-Iglesias\ , J.\; Tassoni\, A.\; Adachi\, T.\; Stich\, M.\; Hermans\, T. M. Oscillati ons\, travelling fronts and patterns in a supramolecular system. Nature Na notechnology 2018\, 13\, 1021–1027.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/SysChemDis/21/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR