Objective
"Understanding how proteins work in living cells is one of biology's great challenges. Fluorescence technologies are compatible studies on living cells, but studying protein structures on the single-digit nanometre range severely restricts the time resolution, typically to that of fixed-cell experiments. Moreover, as most proteins are complex multi-domain machines, to truly understand their biological function, we need more than imaging of their position; we need to visualise their actual conformation, i.e. their 3D structure and dynamics and how their shape changes throughout their molecular activity.
This proposal introduces Molecular Shape Microscopy (MShapeM), designed to achieve real-time nanometre-resolution imaging of protein conformational dynamics inside the living cell. MShapeM is not a single technology, but integrates synergistic advances in three cutting-edge domains: (1) protein and RNA bioengineering using RNA trans-splicing and editing to reprogram multiple codons to incorporate several small fluorescent dyes with amino-acid precision into endogenous proteins; (2) innovative dye chemistry for developing dual-fluorogenic dyes for high signal-to-noise live-cell imaging; and (3) advanced scattering microscopy, to continuously track multiple stably emitting dyes at very high temporal and nanometre spatial resolution. Benchmark applications include the study of highly dynamic large proteins for which conformational dynamics are critical but poorly understood and not accessible with any other technology. By capturing ""molecular action movies"" of proteins at work, MShapeM will blend the boundaries between structural and live-cell imaging, affording unprecedented visual acuity on protein function in its native environment.
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Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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
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
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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-2025-ADG
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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.
55122 Mainz
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.