Objective
The threading of proteins through narrow channels within a cell is a crucial biological process, which is essential for cellular protein trafficking and protein degradation. This translocation process is also used by pathogens such as anthrax and C. Difficile, which inject their lethal toxins through the cell membrane in order to hijack vital cell machinery. The motor proteins driving this translocation process are called protein translocases. Despite the ubiquity of protein translocation in biology, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Improving our knowledge of translocation will have implications on our understanding of severe pathologies, which have been linked to the dysfunction of translocases (e.g. cancers, Alzheimer’s).
I intend to design novel biorelevant in vitro tools to investigate the inner workings of membrane-associated protein translocases. The translocase will be reconstituted in a cell-like microenvironment, while allowing real time control over biologically appropriate external conditions that may affect its function in vivo (e.g. voltage/pH gradient across membrane). Our innovative approach is based on the integration of novel lipid systems into a combination of optical tweezers and electrophysiology techniques. The first translocase targeted is FtsH, whose role is to dislocate proteins from membranes. We will directly measure the translocation velocity and step size of this membrane-associated translocase with unprecedented detail, while being able to control the protonmotive force.
These new assays will advance considerably single-molecule investigations of membrane proteins, which represent 30% of all proteins and are prime drug targets. This work will lay foundations towards elucidating the mechanisms behind other crucial membrane translocases, in particular transmembrane protein transporters.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology dementia alzheimer
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pathology
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG)
Coordinator
2628 CN DELFT
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.