Objective
Small molecules are critical players in the chemistry of life. In the role of substrates, cofactors, solvent, inhibitors or activators, they steer the activities of proteins and nucleic acids. For mechanistic studies, it would be desirable to single out a small ligand from a large macromolecular complex, even if their sizes lie several orders of magnitude apart, and follow its fate during chemical and structural transformations. Few experimental techniques would achieve this under native conditions.
NMR spectroscopy grants insights into molecular motions, interactions and chemical transitions at atomic-level resolution. However, it faces challenges when observing small-molecule ligands within large complexes: The first prerequisite are NMR active nuclei. Unlike biomolecular NMR, where isotope labelling is routine, the site-directed introduction of desired nuclei into small molecules still requires lengthy, individual synthesis. Second, transverse-relaxation optimised experiments have been instrumental in pushing the size limits of protein-observed NMR into the biologically relevant range of tens to hundreds of kilodaltons. Such experiments are not directly transferable to the small molecule space due to its different chemical build-up.
ZoomNMR proposes to cover this blind spot with a spectroscopic toolbox for ligand-detected NMR of large macromolecular complexes. Our approach capitalizes on late-stage isotope labelling strategies, inspired by organic chemistry, in conjunction with relaxation interference phenomena to maximize sensitivity and resolution. The tools will be implemented on a prototypical human enzyme and three exemplary ligand classes. We will deliver a proof-of-concept that our novel methodology can tackle diverse research problems, from fundamental mechanistic enzymology to the design of drug molecules. Our future vision is that ligand-observed NMR of large complexes will become as straightforward and efficient as protein-observed NMR is today.
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 enzymes
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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 - HORIZON ERC Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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-2024-COG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.