Project description
Spectroscopy-based method detecting protein conformational changes
Proteins play a vital role in key cellular processes such as division and metabolism. Interferometric scattering (iSCAT) microscopy allows for label-free observation of individual proteins, but it cannot detect changes in their shape. This technique measures how proteins respond to an inhomogeneous electric field, generating a dielectrophoretic force that depends on their structure. The ERC-funded ProAct project aims to advance iSCAT microscopy by developing a method to detect conformational changes in proteins. By quantifying dielectrophoretic forces, the project will provide access to protein dipole moments – previously only estimable through theoretical models. Using nanoelectrodes to generate a non-uniform electric field, the team will track protein motion and analyse their properties based on the resulting trajectories.
Objective
Proteins carry out all functions in living cells, from division, metabolism and transport to programmed cell death. Understanding how protein structure and movements relate to their function is key to advancing biology and medicine. A recent breakthrough, interferometric scattering (iSCAT) microscopy, allows us to observe single protein molecules without using fluorescent labels or chemical tethers. This innovation enables label-free protein studies but currently cannot detect changes in protein shape and structure.
With ProAct, I aim to enhance iSCAT microscopy by introducing a new way to detect protein conformational changes. The key idea is to measure how a protein responds to an uneven electric field. When a protein moves in this field, it experiences a dielectrophoretic force that depends on its dipole moment, which is influenced by the protein's structure, conformational dynamics, and interactions. Within the ProAct project, we will focus on quantifying this dielectrophoresis force, as it provides a unique experimental approach to accessing protein dipole momentspreviously only computable. By using nanoelectrodes to create this inhomogeneous electric field, we can register the protein motion with iSCAT and discern the protein properties from its trajectory. This combination represents a completely new approach to studying protein behavior without labels, as it enriches the palette of protein properties measurable at the single-molecule level.
I expect that the ProAct method will make it much easier to study how proteins move and interact with other molecules. It could also change how we think about proteins in electric fields by helping to understand the role of the dipole moment in protein properties. ProAct pushes iSCAT microscopy into exciting new territory for observing molecular dynamics.
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
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- 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.
7522 NB Enschede
Netherlands
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.