Objective Toroidal processive enzymes (e.g. enzymes/proteins that are able to thread onto biopolymers and to perform stepwise reactions along the polymer chain) are among the most fascinating tools involved in the clockwork machinery of life. Processive catalysis is ubiquitous in Nature, viz. DNA polymerases, endo- and exo-nucleases and; it plays a crucial role in numerous events of the cell’s life, including most of the replication, transmission, and expression and repair processes of the genetic information. In the case of DNA polymerases the protein catalyst encircles the DNA and whilst moving along it, make copies of high fidelity. Although numerous works have been reported in relation with the synthesis of natural enzymes' analogues, very few efforts have been paid in comparison to mimic these processive properties. It is the goal of this proposal to rectify this oversight and unravel the essential components of Nature’s polymer catalysts. The individual projects are designed to specifically target the essential aspects of processive catalysis, i.e. rate of motion, rate of catalysis, and transfer of information. One project is aimed at extending the research into a processive catalytic system that is more suitable for industrial application. Two projects involve more farsighted studies and are designed to push the research way beyond the current boundaries into the area of Turing machines and bio-rotaxane catalysts which can modify DNA in a non-natural process. The vision of this proposal is to open up the field of ‘processive catalysis’ and invigorate the next generation of chemists to develop information transfer and toroidal processive catalysts. The construction of synthetic analogues of processive enzymes could open a gate toward a large range of applications, ranging from intelligent tailoring of polymers to information storage and processing. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAnatural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciencesnatural scienceschemical sciencescatalysisnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymes Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-AG-PE5 - ERC Advanced Grant - Materials and Synthesis Call for proposal ERC-2011-ADG_20110209 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Coordinator STICHTING RADBOUD UNIVERSITEIT Address Houtlaan 4 6525 XZ Nijmegen Netherlands See on map Region Oost-Nederland Gelderland Arnhem/Nijmegen Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Job Broekhoven (Mr.) Principal investigator Roeland Johannes Maria Nolte (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all STICHTING RADBOUD UNIVERSITEIT Netherlands EU contribution € 1 603 699,00 Address Houtlaan 4 6525 XZ Nijmegen See on map Region Oost-Nederland Gelderland Arnhem/Nijmegen Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Job Broekhoven (Mr.) Principal investigator Roeland Johannes Maria Nolte (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Other funding No data
