Objective
MicroRNAs are a recently discovered class of small non-coding RNAs that act as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression by silencing target mRNAs. They have wide ranging roles in many cellular processes including cellular proliferation, stress response, apoptosis, development and differentiation. Altered expression of microRNA has been implicated in tumorigenesis, and microRNAs are recognised as modulating factors in numerous cancers including gastric cancer, lung cancer and lymphocytic leukaemia. Specifically, microRNA functions within the cytoplasm in concert with the human-induced silencing complex by binding the 3’ untranslated region of the target mRNA. This binding to target mRNA effectively inhibits expression of the protein, and thus mediates the gene silencing effect of microRNA. This project aims to elucidate the structure and biophysical basis of the nuclear export complex formed by pre-microRNA (precursor of microRNA), RanGTP and exportin-5. These goals will be achieved using a combination of structural, biochemical and biophysical approaches. X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance will be utilised to study the structure of the export complex of microRNA. In parallel with the determination of the complex structure, the key residues involved in complex formation will be identified by mutagenesis, cross-linking and further NMR approaches. Furthermore, a range of biophysical techniques will be employed to study the thermodynamic and kinetic basis for the formation of the microRNA export complex. The information provided by this study will be of the highest international standard and will open novel avenues to therapeutic design as well as represent a significant advance in our understanding of cellular biology. Importantly, it will provide a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration between a European based organization and a top-class non European researcher.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology lung cancer
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences geology mineralogy crystallography
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology leukemia
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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-2007-4-2-IIF
See other projects for this call
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.
Coordinator
W1B 1AL LONDON
United Kingdom
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.