Objective In December 2002,Science magazine selected small Ranks with regulatory function as the scientific breakthrough of the year. Small Ranks play a hitherto unrecognized critical regulatory role in controlling gene expression at different levels in a variety of organisms across kingdoms. The number of small non-coding RNAs discovered in recent years is in a range of one thousand. In a fundamental genomics approach this consortium aims to-wards advancement of knowledge on how regulatory RNAs are integrated into the general network of gene expression. Evolutionary aspects will be addressed to obtain a broad and integrated understanding of riboregulators. Thus, organisms from different kingdoms (eubacteria, protists, plants and animals) will be investigated, along with various classes of regulatory RNAs (microRNAs, snoRNAs, bacterial small RNAs). Molecular targets will be identified and characterised and the expression patterns of target and regulatory RNA monitored under various environmental or developmental conditions. We will develop bioinformatic tools by designing new algorithms for the in silico prediction of RNA targets. A special focus will be directed towards small RNAs from pathogenic bacteria and on human small RNAs that are implicated in human diseases, including common forms of cancer. Research on both these topics should generate vital knowledge applicable for future therapeutic intervention. Multi-protein complexes and other protein components will be studied that are required for the generation or function of small RNAs and that are of potential biotechnological interest. Finally, we will study structural and functional aspects of small RNAs to elucidate mechanisms of interaction with the targets. The experimental strategies will pursue multidisciplinary approaches (gene expression, proteomics, bioinformatics) and make use of sophisticated instrumentation, such as scanning force microscopy, surface plasma resonance, and microcalorimetry. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsproteomicsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesevolutionary biologynatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsRNA Keywords Dicer bioinformatics functional genomics fundamental genomics gene expression miRNA regulatory RNA snoRNA structure analysis Programme(s) FP6-LIFESCIHEALTH - Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health: Thematic Priority 1 under the Focusing and Integrating Community Research programme 2002-2006. Topic(s) LSH-2003-1.1.0-1 - Topics for Specific Targeted Research Project in the area of Fundamental knowledge and basic tools for functional genomics in all organisms Call for proposal FP6-2003-LIFESCIHEALTH-I See other projects for this call Funding Scheme STREP - Specific Targeted Research Project Coordinator UPPSALA UNIVERSITY EU contribution No data Address Sankt Olofsgatan 10B UPPSALA Sweden See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (9) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all BIAFFIN GMBH & CO KG Germany EU contribution No data Address Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40 KASSEL See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE France EU contribution No data Address 23, Rue du Loess STRASBOURG See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data DIENSTLEISTUNGSZENTRUM LANDLICHER RAUM - RHEINPFALZ - CENTRUM GRUNE GENTECHNIK Germany EU contribution No data Address Breitenweg 71 NEUSTADT / WEINSTRASS See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY - HELLAS INSTITUTE OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY Greece EU contribution No data Address Vassilika Vouton HERAKLION See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data NOVARTIS FORSCHUNGSSTIFTUNG, ZWEIGNIEDERLASSUNG - FRIEDRICH MIESCHER INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH Switzerland EU contribution No data Address Maulbeerstrasse 66 BASEL See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data RLP AGROSCIENCE GMBH Germany EU contribution No data Address Breitenweg 71 NEUSTADT See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data SVERIGES LANTBRUKSUNIVERSITET Sweden EU contribution No data Address Arrheniusplan 2 C UPPSALA See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSITAET DES SAARLANDES Germany EU contribution No data Address Campus Dudweiler, Zeile 4 SAARBRUECKEN See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSITAET KASSEL Germany EU contribution No data Address Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40 KASSEL See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data