Objective
Transposons are important tools in genetics and molecular biology. They are widely used in academic and industrial settings where technical innovations continually expand the range of applications. Transposons are promising tools in synthetic biology and gene therapy applications. The amount of DNA a transposon can carry is in principal unlimited. However, in practice, when transposon length is increased, for example by the addition of a therapeutic transgene, its ability to transpose is reduced. This phenomenon is known as 'length dependence' and limits the efficiency of transposons in gene delivery applications.
Although length-dependence is a well documented phenomenon, the causes have not been investigated and remain unclear. We believe that the first step in combating the problem is to understand the underlying causes. We have therefore designed biochemical and genetic assays that will reveal the stage(s) of the transposition reaction at which length-dependence operates. The assays will be used to test those transposons that are currently under the most intensive development as tools in eukaryotic systems.
Some of these transposons are reported to be substantially free of length-dependence. Our assays will confirm if this is true, and if so whether this 'immunity' is a property of the respective transposases, of the DNA sequences, or due to the binding of host proteins.
One of the attractive features of transposons as gene delivery vectors is that there are a lot to choose from, and different elements will have different advantages and disadvantages with different transgenes in different applications. If we can identify the causes of length-dependence in some elements, and the mechanisms by which it is minimized in others, we may be able to combine the most advantageous features in a single system. The overall aim of the work is to create a highly active transposition system that lacks length dependence.
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.
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering gene therapy
- natural sciences biological sciences synthetic biology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology
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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.
FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF
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
NG7 2RD Nottingham
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.