Objective
Protein crystallization is a very active field of current scientific interest, but also heavily used in biotechnological processes. Protein crystals are for example necessary to elucidate the structure of proteins by means of spectroscopic methods. The knowledge of protein structure will boost the development of new biotechnological materials and drugs.
However, currently, the number of proteins that can be crystallized is very small, and the conditions under which crystallization occurs are unpredictable. To achieve European leadership in biotechnology, it is crucial to improve the methods used in protein crystallization, which requires knowledge of the physical mechanisms behind it. Crystallization can be described by classical nucleation theory.
This requires information on the surface energies, which cannot be obtained through experiments. Analytic estimates based on mean-field approaches exist, but many crystallization precipitants are multivalent salts, which these theories fail to describe. We therefore propose to study protein nucleation directly by computer simulations.
We will develop the necessary simulation methods by employing recently developed Monte Carlo methods, such as the sampling of rejected states. For MC algorithmic development, the work group of Professor Frenkel is world leading. In addition, the AMOLF has a strong biophysics group. Therefore the applicant will receive excellent training in MC techniques and broaden his scientific background to include biophysics.
In addition, the project will strengthen his communicative skills by exposure to an interdisciplinary Dutch research group. This will allow the applicant to start a career as an independent junior researcher. As a long-term effect, the project will create permanent intra-European research links between the Dutch institute AMOLF and Research groups in Germany.
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.
- engineering and technology materials engineering crystals
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences biophysics
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software software applications simulation software
- natural sciences mathematics applied mathematics mathematical model
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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.
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.
FP6-2004-MOBILITY-5
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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
UTRECHT
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.