Objective
Programmable nucleases such as CRISPR-Cas12 open an important window for understanding microbial defense. Nucleases like Cas12 rely on an RNA guide’s (gRNA) sequence to direct it towards specific DNAs – typically those derived from previously-encountered mobile genetic elements (MGEs), like phages. Features – such as how fast they operate on DNA targets, or how well they distinguish gRNA-matched DNA from partially matched DNA (specificity) – can tell us a lot about the environments they operate in, the MGEs they face, and even how well we can expect them to operate in new genomes. We lack complete understanding of these features, these complex phenotypes, like specificity. How does gRNA programming distinguish each nuclease’s potential targets? Current methods, both genome-wide assays and computational predictions, are context-dependent, often obscuring nuclease-intrinsic features. As a result, specificity remains too complex to predict from nuclease sequence alone. This could be possible with an appropriate high-throughput strategy, especially one that leverages nucleases’ natural diversity to indicate how their features change across evolution. The Seq2Cut project seeks to uncover the evolutionary basis of the key nuclease features such as specificity and establish a comparative framework for understanding how nuclease function evolves. Seq2Cut will overcome current limitations with high-throughput methods that integrate biochemistry, computation, bioinformatics, and engineering to generate standardized, comparable datasets across a diverse set of Cas12 proteins. By combining experimental measurements with computational modeling, I aim to uncover how critical nuclease features have evolved, mapping these functions to their protein sequence and structure. Under the supervision of Dr. Stephen Jones who has vast experience in employing these technologies, I anticipate making fundamental advances in our understanding and biotechnology uses for CRISPR in genome editing
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 RNA
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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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.
01513 Vilnius
Lithuania
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.