Project description
Drug discovery through native membrane protein analysis
Membrane proteins play a crucial role in drug discovery, as they make up over two-thirds of all known drug targets. However, their hydrophobic nature makes them exceptionally challenging to produce and analyse, leaving the structures of most membrane proteins unknown. Current preclinical studies often rely on isolated protein fragments, neglecting the effects of their native biological environment. This leads to uncertain conclusions about drug mechanisms, hindering progress in pharmaceutical research. The ERC-funded MMC project will develop an innovative system for producing and analysing native membrane proteins directly within cellular environments. By achieving proof-of-concept with clinically relevant targets, MMC seeks to transform drug development, paving the way for commercialisation and industry adoption.
Objective
More than two-thirds of all described drug targets are membrane proteins, but only for a small fraction of these hydrophobic proteins the structure is currently known. Membrane proteins are inherently challenging to produce and analyze. Consequently, in pre-clinical investigations their mechanism and drug interactions are often only derived from purified truncated parts of these proteins, taken out of their native biological context. Lacking the effects of surrounding membrane components, conclusions on drug mechanisms are indecisive. Recent advances in in situ structure determination techniques, i.e. analysis directly within the cellular environment, now have the power to overcome the limitations of classical reconstituted approaches. Complementary, we have developed a system that may facilitate structural analysis of membrane protein drug targets and has large potential for the production of native membrane proteins - an essential prerequisite for the study of membrane protein function and drug interactions.
Within the scope of our proposal, we will further develop our system and transfer it into pharmaceutically relevant cell systems. Furthermore, we aim to achieve proof-of-concept and assess our system with clinically relevant membrane proteins for their suitability to solve 3D structures in complex with clinical drugs, as well as its suitability for the membrane protein production. We are convinced that our approach will have a transformative impact on how drug - membrane protein interactions can be studied, and could be exploited for drug development in the pharmaceutical industry. In the course of the project, we will establish a plan for transforming our system into a business model and commercializing our technology.
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.
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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.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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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) ERC-2023-POC
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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.
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
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.