Objective
Recent progress in constructing small artificial gene networks has allowed the engineering of predictable logical switches, or system behaviours, by harnessing feedback loops (Becskei, A. & Serrano, L. Nature 405, 590-3 (2000)). It should be possible to apply our growing knowledge of such networks to construct multi-component sensors and effectors to react to particular metabolic states in a cell, especially the aberrant states associated with disease. In this project, we aim to design modular gene n etworks of increasing complexity, that will sense errors at multiple levels in cellular pathways and will respond to repair the affected genes selectively. As a primary target, we have selected the p53 pathway; p53 itself is altered in ~50% of all cancers, while the other 50% of tumors carry alterations either in direct regulators of p53 (such as MDM2, p14ARF, E6 from HPV), or in pathways activating the p53 checkpoint (such as ATM, ATR, Brca1). Therefore we can consider that the p53 pathway is altered in v irtually every cancer. The global idea of the project involves designing a network that will detect 3 or more steps in the pathway, identify the step that is not working properly and then selectively respond, either by killing the cell or by repairing the affected gene through double-strand induced recombination. Thus, we aim to combine expertise from a systems biology and protein design group (Serrano), a cell biology group with experience in p53 pathways (Carnero), a company specialising in meganuclease-induced recombination (Cellectis) and a group specialising in viral vector delivery to cells and cancer therapeutics (Kühnel). By integrating the experience of these different groups, we expect to develop robust cancer sensors with therapeutic potential. F urthermore, by exploring which network topologies and effector systems function best, we intend to provide a generally applicable framework to build synthetic networks to react to aberrant cellular pathways
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 cell biology
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering information engineering telecommunications telecommunications networks
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases DNA viruses
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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.
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.
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.
FP6-2003-NEST-PATH
See other projects for this call
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.
Coordinator
BARCELONA
Spain
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.