Objective
The discovery of the green fluorescent protein (GFP), and its applications have revolutionized many fields of life sciences. The GFP (and other fluorescent proteins, XFPs) have now been used as a basis for development of optical sensors of a wide range of cellular properties and processes. In order to convert changes in cellular properties into an optically detectable signal, the currently used probes exploit only one mechanism: environment-induced changes of the optical properties of the fluorophore Our theoretical work suggests that another class of probes exists, and provides the theoretical background for development and use of these probes. The new class of probes utilizes the fact that the XFP fluorophore is planar, and thus its optical properties are anisotropic. If the anisotropic XFP fluorophore is anchored to non-centrosymmetric support, such as to the cell membrane, under the right conditions even small changes in fluorophore orientation should lead to pronounced changes in observed fluorescence. Our experimental work on development of a voltage-sensitive fluorescent protein (VSFP) provides preliminary evidence for existence and usability of this phenomenon. It is the goal of the proposed work to test the hypothesis that fluorophore anisotropy can serve as a basis of a range of genetically encoded sensors of membrane protein activity and structure. To test this hypothesis we aim to (1) prove that the observed fluorescence changes in our VSFP constructs are due to changes in fluorophore orientation; (2) deduce information about the structure of our VSFP construct from our fluorescence imaging data; and (3) apply our methods to other proteins. The new mechanism of transduction of conformational changes to changes in fluorescence should lead to an improved VSFP, and to development of a number of genetically encoded reporters of activity and structure of membrane proteins, with a large scientific impact.
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.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors optical sensors
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
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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-2007-4-3-IRG
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
603 00 Brno
Czechia
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.