Objective We are building a parallel and independent (orthogonal) translational machinery for the encoded biosynthesis of unnatural polymers in living cells. The orthogonal translation system has many potential applications beyond those possible with the natural translation system: I propose to use it: 1) To expand the chemical scope of monomers that can be polymerized by the ribosome in living cells, allowing the incorporation of monomers with unnatural backbones into proteins; 2) To increase the efficiency of in vivo unnatural amino acid mutagenesis via amber suppression, so that no truncated protein is produced and multi-site incorporation of unnatural amino acids is possible; 3) To create probes of protein function for use in vivo; 4) To free numerous codons for simultaneous encoding of multiple distinct unnatural monomers, and to experimentally explore alternate genetic codes; 5) To explore the evolution of encoded unnatural polymers toward new cellular functions. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsnatural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciencesnatural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryamines Keywords genetic genetic code expansion ribosome engineering synthetic biology Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-LS7 - Applied life sciences, biotechnology and bioengineering: agricultural, animal, fishery, forestry/food sciences; biotechnology, chemical biology, genetic engineering, synthetic biology, industrial biosciences; environmental biotechnology. Call for proposal ERC-2007-StG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Host institution MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL EU contribution € 1 782 918,00 Address 20 Park Crescent W1B 1AL LONDON United Kingdom See on map Activity type Public bodies (excluding Research Organisations and Secondary or Higher Education Establishments) Principal investigator Jason William Karl Chin (Dr.) Administrative Contact Elizabeth Cutler (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL United Kingdom EU contribution € 1 782 918,00 Address 20 Park Crescent W1B 1AL LONDON See on map Activity type Public bodies (excluding Research Organisations and Secondary or Higher Education Establishments) Principal investigator Jason William Karl Chin (Dr.) Administrative Contact Elizabeth Cutler (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data