Project description
A novel platform for gene editing
Gene editing holds immense potential for correcting genetic diseases by precisely modifying the defective DNA sequences at their source. The ERC-funded Viral DNA project aims to advance existing synthetic gene editing tools by harnessing the unique mechanisms of some viruses that use protein-primed DNA replication. This process employs specific viral proteins that create a rare protein-DNA bond. Characterisation of these viral replication proteins will uncover new ways to amplify and deliver DNA into living cells for gene editing. This breakthrough strategy could address key challenges in gene editing, particularly in improving the efficiency of homology-directed repair.
Objective
There are over 6,000 human genetic diseases, affecting hundreds of millions of people. The vast majority are caused by small mutations in DNA sequences which are potentially correctable, so the development of new gene editing tools will have major benefits for treating human genetic diseases. To tackle this challenge, we will harness the natural protein diversity of viruses to create new gene editing technologies.
We will study an unusual class of viruses that use a unique mechanism to replicate themselves, known as protein-primed DNA replication, which creates the rare feature of a protein-DNA covalent bond. These viruses are very understudied, yet they hold great potential for new biotechnology applications. We will study the protein-primed DNA replication machinery of these viruses, and then exploit this mechanism to develop a novel technology for synthetic biology – creating new ways to amplify and deliver DNA into living cells for gene editing.
Our research represents a major breakthrough on two accounts:
Firstly, to discover and characterise large numbers of protein-primed DNA replication proteins from previously unstudied viruses; to establish a highly efficient, self-replicating system able to synthesise and amplify large amounts of protein-linked DNA product; and to study the molecular details of these viral replication proteins for the first time.
Secondly, to develop protein-linked DNA as a new platform technology for gene editing. Our strategy to engineer viral proteins will create protein-linked DNA molecules that are for the first time (i) actively nuclear-targeted and (ii) self-replicating, to address key limitations in the gene editing field and pioneer a new method for highly efficient homology-directed repair.
Overall, our proposal combines fundamental biological study and applied biotechnology research to transform our understanding of these viral proteins and engineer them for ground-breaking advances in gene editing and DNA delivery.
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 microbiology virology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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
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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 - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-STG
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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.
CB2 1TN CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom
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