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Engineering Extracellular Matrices for Controlling Structure and Dynamics of Lipid Bilayer Membranes

Project description

Insight into cell membrane dynamics

The cell membrane facilitates fundamental biological processes including endocytosis, cell–cell communication and cell division. Therefore, understanding the factors that control membrane structure and dynamics can help modulate these processes. Unlike most approaches that alter lipid bilayer composition to impact membrane fluidity and stiffness, the EU-funded EXTREME project proposes to regulate cell membrane dynamics via engineering a complex extracellular microenvironment. The interdisciplinary nature of the project will provide unprecedented knowledge on cell membranes and pave the way for the development of novel therapies against membrane-associated diseases, such as type-2 diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

Objective

Cell membrane is the most critical element that is common to all biological systems. This five-nanometer-thick highly flexible lipid bilayer is known to govern numerous vital cellular processes including endocytosis, exocytosis, enzyme activity, ion transport, cell-cell communication and cell division. Understanding and controlling multiscale structure and dynamics of the cell membrane is, hence, the key to regulate these crucial activities. So far, proposed approaches to tuning membrane dynamics, leading to its fluidity and stiffness, are based exclusively on modification of the bilayer composition that is highly cell specific. In this project, the researcher will use his previous research experience in harmony with expertise of the supervisor to uncover a novel and mechanistic way for regulating the dynamics of the lipid bilayers via engineering complex extracellular microenvironment. Beside its highly interdisciplinary and fundamental nature, this research has a significant potential to open up a new practical pathway to cure membrane-associated diseases, including but not limited to type-2 diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer. This research action will be a great opportunity for the researcher to acquire new scientific expertise, grow his worldwide collaboration network, practice key project management skills and effectively disseminate research outcomes - all of which are essential for being a successful independent academic.

Call for proposal

H2020-WF-2018-2020

See other projects for this call

Sub call

H2020-WF-02-2019

Coordinator

KOC UNIVERSITY
Net EU contribution
€ 145 355,52
Address
RUMELI FENERI YOLU SARIYER
34450 Istanbul
Türkiye

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Region
İstanbul İstanbul İstanbul
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 145 355,52