Single Particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy and Biophysical Characterization of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 2 channel: a Three-Dimensional Structure Characterization of a Membrane Nociceptor

Project Information

PAIN_TRPV2

Grant agreement ID: 237120

Project closed

Start date 1 August 2009

End date 31 July 2012

Funded under

• Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Total cost € 248 814,33

EU contribution € 248 814,33

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITAT AUTONOMA DE BARCELONA
Spain

Objective

The IOF call is a unique opportunity for the researcher to carry out this project. Transient Receptor Potential channels are extremely interesting since some of them are receptors for pain (nociceptors). The actual subject of research is the structural characterization of TRPV2, a nociceptor which responds to different stimuli such as cannabidiol, pressure and noxious heat. TRPV2 is expected to be a large membrane protein (potential homotetramer of ~400 KDa). To study TRPV2’s 3D structure, single particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy is the most suitable method. Further biophysical characterization of the inactive and active states of TRPV2 by FTIR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry will be carried out. The research results will contribute to drug therapeutics on acute and chronic pain treatment. The Outgoing phase will take place at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (affiliated to Harvard Medical School, Boston U.S.A.). The present proposal gathers a skilful and experienced Outgoing host in single particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Supervised by Dr. Montserrat Samsó) with a talented and experienced young researcher (Dr. Alex Perálvarez-Marín) in order to generate a transfer of knowledge to a European host. This is the recently created Centre d’Estudis en Biofísica (Supervised by Prof. Esteve Padrós), in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Spain), which is looking for a potential enhancement in its Structural Biology section. The Return host is embedded in Barcelona’s unique scientific environment. The ongoing Centre d’Estudis en Biofísica and the Mare Nostrum Supercomputing facilities, in addition to the new Alba Synchrotron and the planned Institute for Structural Biology, are a very suitable environment to reintegrate the researcher by means of this advanced and innovative research project, expected to strongly contribute to the European excellence and competitiveness.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › biological sciences › biochemistry › biomolecules › proteins
• natural sciences › physical sciences › optics › microscopy
• natural sciences › chemical sciences › analytical chemistry › calorimetry
• natural sciences › biological sciences › molecular biology › structural biology
• natural sciences › physical sciences › optics › spectroscopy

Keywords

• 3-D structure
• Biochemistry
• Biophysics
• Cryo-electron microscopy
• DSC
• FTIR spectroscopy
• Pain
• Transient Receptor Potential Channels

Programme(s)

• FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Topic(s)

• FP7-PEOPLE-IOF-2008 - Marie Curie Action: "International Outgoing Fellowships for Career Development"

Call for proposal

FP7-PEOPLE-IOF-2008
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

MC-IOF - International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF)

Coordinator

UNIVERSITAT AUTONOMA DE BARCELONA

• EU contribution: € 248 814,33
• Address: EDIF A CAMPUS DE LA UAB BELLATERRA CERDANYOLA V ; 08193 Cerdanyola Del Valles ; Spain
• Region: Este › Cataluña › Barcelona
• Activity type: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Administrative Contact: Queralt Gonzalez Matos (Ms.)
• Total cost: No data