Objective
Obtaining protein crystals suitable for X-rays scattering is requested to resolve protein functionalities, which is one of the most important goal of biological research. In this domain, microfluidics has recently proved be a powerful, rapid and efficient approach: by rapidly screening an important number of different conditions, and exploiting scale reduction, accelerates by orders of magnitude the determination of optimal grow conditions. This approach led to crytallise for the first time integrin.
The aim of PROTEMICROFLU is to develop a new microfluidic approach to protein crystallisation. The system we propose is an array of evaporation microchambers, moulded on a microfluidic chip, filled by solutes of different concentration and exposed, through a membrane, to air fluxes driven through microchannels, placed at a second level.
The system is made by using multi layer lithography, a technology well handled by the host laboratory. The agents will be concentrated by evaporation of the solvent through the membranes, achieving supersaturated states which eventually crystallize. In a second step, the system will be equipped by microvalves to facilitate fluid handling and favour integration and compactness.
The main goal is to map the protein phase diagram and look for optimal crystallization conditions; owing to the flexibility and speed of the handling of the working fluids, it will be possible to interactively optimize crystal sizes and structures, along with understanding the whole kinetic process. Compared to existing microfluidic systems, the interactivity and improved control represent substantial progress.
The study will first address standard proteins (lysozyme and g crystallin) and will aim at considering proteins unresolved by traditional techniques. The project feasibly is demonstrated by preliminary studies; moreover, the host laboratory expertise (microtechnology) will provide a complementary formation to the candidate background (protein interaction).
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 physical sciences classical mechanics fluid mechanics microfluidics
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- engineering and technology other engineering and technologies microtechnology
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Programme(s)
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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.
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-5
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Funding Scheme
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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
France
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.