Project description
A computational approach to revolutionise cancer treatment
Guanine-rich DNA sequences can form four-stranded structures called G-quadruplexes (G4). New evidence suggests their involvement in such functions as transcription, replication, genome stability, epigenetic regulation, and cancer growth and progression. Ligand-induced stabilisation of oncogene-associated and telomeric G4s represents an efficient approach in targeted cancer therapy. The goal of the EU-funded G4-mtQSAR project is to develop a computational methodology for the screening of small ligand molecules with the potential to target G4 DNA associated with cancer. The objective is to introduce multi-target quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models to find potential multi-target directed ligands capable of stabilising multiple G4s for several oncogenes simultaneously.
Objective
The goal of the proposed research is to develop computational methodology which can screen out small ligand molecules having potential to selectively target G-quadruplex (G4) DNA which are associated with cancer pathology. Multiple oncogenes and telomerase activity are deregulated in various types of cancers. Ligand induced stabilization of G4s associated with the oncogenes (c-myc, c-kit, k-ras, etc.) and stabilization of telomeric G4s are efficient ways in targeted cancer therapy. Here, we intend to develop multi-target QSAR models that can aid in finding potential multi-target directed ligands (MTDLs) that can stabilize multiple G4s from different oncogenes simultaneously. It is the first computational study for identifying MTDLs against multiple G4s in Cancer treatment. Different multi-target QSAR approaches will be explored including ‘multiple regression and classification’ QSAR models, multi-target QSAR using Box-Jenkins moving average approach and multi-target QSAR using Perturbation approach. Several advanced machine learning techniques will be employed. A state-of-the-art software tool will be developed where all the successful multi-target QSAR models and in-house ADMET models will be incorporated as a knowledgebase. Notably, desirability-based multi-objective optimization approach will be used for identifying drug-like molecules. The software along with in-house KNIME workflows will then be used to screen potential MTDLs against multiple G4s. The selectivity and binding characteristics of the screened MTDLs towards G4s over duplex DNA will be analysed by performing molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies. The binding capacity of the screened MTDLs with intended G4s over duplex DNAs will then be confirmed using experiments such as isothermal fluorescence, UV-Vis, CD spectroscopies and FRET melting assay. The findings will aid in identifying new leads and reducing false positive outcomes in the crucial early stages of drug discovery and development.
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 basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug discovery
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pathology
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence computational intelligence
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
46018 Valencia
Spain
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.