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Content archived on 2024-06-18

Quantum chemical and combined quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) modelling of oestrogen biosynthesis and metabolism

Objective

The aim of the research proposal is to study the biosynthesis and metabolism of oestrogen derivatives with state-of-the-art quantum mechanical (QM) and combined quantum mechanics molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations. Oestrogens play a manifold role in the correct functioning of the human body, which is especially pronounced in the case of women. Prolonged exposure to oestrogen has been shown to increase the risk of developing breast cancer due to the cumulative effect of toxic metabolites formed from oestrogens. State-of-the-art treatment of breast cancer involves inhibition of aromatase, the enzyme responsible for the last step of oestrogen biosynthesis. We intend to perform QM calculations to elucidate the factors that play a role in the cytochrome P450-dependant metabolism of oestrogens, and to rationalize the possible toxicity of oestrogen metabolites by assessing their proneness to autoxidation. Our second objective is to investigate the mechanism of the aromatization step of oestrogen biosynthesis. In order to do this we plan to carry out QM/MM calculations on the recently crystallized structure of aromatase and to investigate the feasibility of various reaction mechanisms. We expect that our results could significantly contribute to our present understanding to the functioning of this enzyme and could help in the development of the new generation of aromatase inhibitors to treat breast cancer. The research work is planned to be carried out at the HAS-BME Materials Structure and Modelling Research Group of the host institute (HAS-ORG). The European Reintegration Grant would aid the professional reintegration of Dr. Oláh to Hungary by allowing her to work independently. The grant would ensure (1) the transfer of knowledge that Dr. Oláh gained as a Marie Curie Research Fellow at the University of Bristol (UK) to Hungarian researchers (2) to develop a collaboration between the host institute and the University of Bristol.

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Topic(s)

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Call for proposal

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FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG
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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.

MC-ERG - European Re-integration Grants (ERG)

Coordinator

HUN REN TAMOGATOTT KUTATOCSOPORTOK IRODAJA
EU contribution
€ 30 000,00
Address
Piarista utca 4.
1052 BUDAPEST
Hungary

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Region
Közép-Magyarország Budapest Budapest
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost

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.

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