Combinatorial synthesis and biological activity of photoswitchable carbohydrate amphiphiles

This PhD project reports the combinatorial synthesis, physical characterization and biological activity of a new generation of photoswitchable carbohydrate amphiphiles. We have employed light as an external trigger for controlling the surface and self-assembly properties of carbohydrate-based amphiphiles, and we apply this as a strategy for modulating their biological activities as potential antibacterial agents and ice recrystallization inhibitors.