Multivalency is a natural molecular adaptation that enhances the potency and selectivity of biomolecular interactions. While it is common in nature, engineering multivalency in a high-throughput setting remains challenging. The project seeks to address this gap by drawing on our research into multivalency through detailed bioinformatics and venom evolution studies, structure-activity of multivalent peptides and development of novel functional screening methods. Combining these insights with contemporary machine learning approaches we have devised a platform, MultiKnot, capable of evolving multivalent peptides from monovalent precursors. The platform is compatible with complex extracellular targets such as ion channels and is being used to deliver a new generation of multivalent, constrained peptides.
