Objective
We propose to undertake a new challenge: the control of gene expression systems by physico-chemical means to achieve the following objectives: i) developing robust tools for spatio-temporal control of protein expression; ii) understanding the role of micro-environmental factors in gene regulation; and iii) constructing and implementing in vivo smart nanomachines able to express active molecules in response to a stimulus and deliver them to a targeted cell. First, various biochemical processes (transcription, translation) will be controlled by light in vitro, based on photo-induced conformational changes of nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) and chromatin. Based on conformational changes rather than specific template-protein interaction, and combined with microfluidic methodologies, this novel approach will provide a ubiquitous tool to address gene expression using light regardless of the sequence, with unique control and spatio-temporal resolution. Second, by reconstituting photo-responsive gene expression systems in well-defined giant liposomes, we will study the dynamics of gene expression in response to light stimulation. This will allow us to establish the respective roles of the membrane (surface charge, permeability) and of the inner micro-environment composition (viscosity, molecular crowding). Third, we will develop stable, long-circulating polymer nanocapsules (polymersomes) encapsulating a gene expression material that can be triggered by light and/or molecules of biological interest. In response to the signal, an exogenous, potentially immunogenic enzyme will be expressed inside the protecting nanocapsule to locally and catalytically convert a non toxic precursor present in the medium into a cytotoxic drug that will be delivered to a cell (e.g. a cancer cell). This new concept of triggerable gene-carrying nanomachines with unique amplification capacity of drug secretion shall open new horizons for the development of smart biological probes and future therapeutics.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules nucleic acids
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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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.
ERC-2010-StG_20091028
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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.
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.
Host institution
75252 PARIS
France
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.