Project description
Research explores alphavirus mechanisms to tackle tropical diseases
Alphaviruses, including the Semliki Forest virus and the Chikungunya virus, pose significant health challenges to tropical regions owing to their mosquito-borne nature that causes widespread disease. These viruses replicate in specialised structures called spherules, which are not yet fully understood. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the CryoARC project will seek to further explore these spherules by employing advanced techniques like cryo-electron tomography, proteomics, and bioinformatics. Researchers aim to uncover the 3D architecture of these viral complexes and their interactions with host proteins. CryoARC hopes to pave the way for innovative therapies against alphaviruses and support the growth of an independent research lab in Europe.
Objective
Positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA) viruses replicate their genomes in membrane-bound, virus-induced replication complexes (RCs). A major genus of +ssRNA viruses are the Alphaviruses (family Togaviridae). Alphaviruses contain several mosquito-borne viruses that cause substantial human disease burden in tropical and subtropical regions, e.g. Semliki Forest Virus (SFV) and Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV). Alphavirus RCs (also referred to as “spherules”) are outward-facing, balloon-shaped plasma membrane buds of 50-80nm diameter. Our structural understanding of spherules is still fragmental and there is no complete 3D macromolecular architecture of these megadalton complexes. The proposed CryoARC project is based on extensive cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), proteomics and structural bioinformatics approaches to explore and resolve the in situ 3D structure of SFV spherule's complete neck-complex and identifying the host co-factors interacting with viral proteins. To accomplish the main goal of the CryoARC project, I will address the following objectives (1) Fractionation and purification of active SFV spherules from the infected mammalian cells for proteomics and structural studies, (2): In situ cryo-ET structure determination of the SFV spherule’s complete neck complex, and (3) Macromolecular interaction between viral and host-factors in the RC, and design potential antiviral drugs using computational approaches. The result of the CryoARC project will provide a novel fundamental insight into alphavirus replication, thus aiding development of future therapies for emerging medically and economically important Alphaviruses. The CryoARC project is further designed to allow me to utilize and share my own expertise in virology and protein structural biology, and to benefit from the inspiring and well-equipped host research laboratory. Acquired scientific and management skills will help me on the path towards establishing an independent research lab in Europe.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins proteomics
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology virology
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy electron microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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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.
901 87 UMEA
Sweden
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.