Objective "The proposed research is to develop a small molecule as drug candidate compound for the treatment of cancer. We will use fragment-based methods to disrupt the protein-protein interaction between the human recombinase RAD51, and the hub protein BRCA2. This interaction is essential for DNA repair by homologous DNA recombination (HDR), a key cellular pathway involved in the resistance of cancer cells to ionizing radiation and radio-mimetic drugs. The target site (i.e. Velcro pocket) is unique to RAD51 and binds the LFDE tetrapeptide motifs in BRCA2. A suite of biophysical techniques will be used to identify small chemical fragments that specifically bind to the Velcro pocket. Fragment hits will be developed by structure-guided synthesis into more potent inhibitors that disrupt RAD51-BRAC2 interaction impairing the HDR process. We foresee that these small molecule inhibitors will have broad applicability in combination with existing cancer treatments. Moreover it can be anticipated that a small molecules that target only the Velcro site of RAD51, thereby preventing interaction with BRAC2 protein without precluding RAD51 oligomerization, will be valuable chemical tools to uncover different mechanistic aspects of the HDR process in cells." Fields of science medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug discoverynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsproteomicsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAnatural sciencesphysical sciencesnuclear physicsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncology Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IIF - Marie Curie Action: "International Incoming Fellowships" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IIF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IIF - International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) Coordinator THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE EU contribution € 201 049,60 Address TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS CB2 1TN Cambridge United Kingdom See on map Region East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Renata Schaeffer (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data