Objective
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common lethal autosomal recessive genetic disease in the Caucasian population affecting some 30,000 people in the European Union and more than 100,000 in the world. The disease is caused by the mutation of a gene coding for a memb rane protein, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), an epithelial anion channel with complex regulation. Knowledge and understanding of CFTR malfunction in CF is leading to rational new approaches to therapy for CF patients. Bypa ssing CFTR dysfunction using artificial chloride transporters is one such possibility. However, suitable transport systems have been unavailable until very recently. The proposed project involves the design and construction of synthetic anion channels (o rganic synthesis, supramolecular chemistry), and the study of their anion transport properties using electrophysiological techniques (patch clamp, Ussing chamber etc.). The design will employ a steroid-based architecture, related to a family of receptors which have previously been shown to act as anion carriers. By changing from a carrier to a channel mechanism, far higher activities are expected. The selectivity associated with the steroid-based structure should, however, be retained. The research will take place in two Departments of the University of Bristol: the School of Chemistry and the Department of Physiology. The applicant will thus belong to two groups and will receive a broad range of experience and training. In particular, the project will enhance the applicant's skills in synthetic chemistry, and will also provide a training in electrophysiological methods. Through this experience, and through complementary training, he will be well-positioned for a future independent scientific career at the chemistry-biology interface. The research will throw light on the mechanism of anion permeation through natural chloride channels, and might ultimately lead to treatments for CF and related diseases.
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.
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering gene therapy
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
You need to log in or register to use this function
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
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
BRISTOL
United Kingdom
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.