Objective
The segregation of newly replicated DNA is an essential process in all prokaryotes and eukaryotes, ensuring the propagation of DNA to daughter cells. In bacteria, the plasmid partitioning system helps in the proper segregation of low copy number plasmids during cell division. The type II plasmid partitioning system (ParMRC) consists of three major elements – a parC DNA site, which acts as a centromeric region, and two proteins, one of which (ParR) binds to the centromeric region, and the filament-forming, actin-like protein ParM. The relative simplicity of the ParMRC plasmid partitioning system makes it an attractive model for studying DNA segregation. Although the ParMRC plasmid partitioning system has been characterized so as to provide an overview of the various complex structures formed, further structural studies using crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy can help in understanding the molecular mechanism of action. The activation of ParM and polymerization in the presence of ATP and the ParRC complex, de-polymerization in the presence of ADP and the dynamic instability of the filaments, and how these lead to the movement of the plasmids to the opposite ends of the cell are some of the mysteries that require investigation. The proposal tries to address the two key issues - i) conformational dynamics of ParM and mechanism of filament assembly, ii) interaction between ParRC complex and ParM. A few strategies that will be employed for tackling these problems through structural studies using a combination of crystallography and cryo electron microscopy are described. The proposed area of research will help the fellow to gain expertise in the field of cryo-electron microscopy, as well as contribute to the progress of the existing crystallographic work in the lab, following which independent work in the characterization of macromolecular complexes can be initiated in the home country.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences geology mineralogy crystallography
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy electron microscopy
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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-IIF-2008
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.