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Content archived on 2024-06-18

Probing Molecular Recognition of the Avian and Human Influenza Virus

Objective

The presence of carbohydrate structures on the surface of proteins has been estimated to occur in more than 50% of eukaryotic cells, and is linked to several biological events such as cell signalling regulation, cellular differentiation and immune response. Of the three classes of biooligomers, oligosaccharides have proven to be the most difficult to synthesize. Studies concerning the structure and function of oligonucleotides and peptides have greatly benefited from the feasibility of conducting their assembly on polymeric supports. In order to simplify the labor-intensive solution phase synthesis of carbohydrates, assembly of such compounds in an automated fashion on solid support is particularly desirable. Well-defined, synthetic carbohydrates not only constitute excellent research tools to investigate the structure and function of these biopolymers, but also hold great promise as potential therapeutic agents or vaccines against tumors and infectious diseases. Proposed is a program targeted at the synthesis of sialylated oligosaccharides that serve as receptors of avian and human influenza virus. Like other viruses, influenza viruses use interactions between a viral surface protein and well-defined cell surface oligosaccharides to initiate infection. Herein, we propose to prepare sialyl pentasaccharides by automated solid phase synthesis. The resulting complex carbohydrate structures will be attached to microarray slides that will be further subjected to binding experiments with different influenza virus hemagglutinin proteins. These glycan arrays will serve as molecular tools to understand important recognition and signal transduction processes of the infection mechanism by the influenza virus. The results obtained from these binding tests have the potential to create novel carbohydrate-based diagnostics and therapeutics for the influenza virus.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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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)

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.

Call for proposal

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FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008
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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.

MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)

Coordinator

MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV
EU contribution
€ 169 284,33
Address
HOFGARTENSTRASSE 8
80539 Munchen
Germany

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Region
Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost

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