Multivalency is the phenomenon that describes the interaction between multivalent receptors and multivalent ligands. It is well known to play a pivotal role in biochemistry, particularly in protein-carbohydrate interactions, both in solution and at interfaces (e.g. the infection of cells by viruses or bacteria). In particular in the latter case, multivalency is often poorly understood in a quantitative sense.A key point of the current presentation will be the transition area between weak and strong multivalent interactions, and their influence on binding affinity, stoichiometry of binding and (super)selectivity. Examples will be shown of multivalent peptides and derivatives thereof with hydrophobic residues and their interaction with cyclodextrin molecular printboards. Another key point will be the competitive balance between monovalent and multivalent interactions and its role in the control over the size and stability of supramolecular materials. Examples will be shown of supramolecular nanoparticle systems employing cyclodextrin or cucurbituril host-guest recognition.

Weak vs. strong: Multivalent interactions at the edge

245th National Meeting (2013)

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