Objective
"β -2 microglobulin (β-2-m) is a 99 residue protein with an immunoglobulin fold. β-2-m is usually found as a part of the major histocompatibility 1 complex. This protein aggregates to form amyloid fibrils in osteoarticular tissues, leading to pathological bone destruction and the condition known as dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA). The accumulation of β-2-m deposits has been shown to cause arthralgias, destructive osteoarthropaties and carpal tunnel syndrome. The host laboratory has characterized β-2-m amyloid assembly and developed a molecular description of the folding and aggregation mechanisms of β-2-m under relevant conditions, but the factor or factors responsible of the initiation of the aggregation process are still unknown.
β-2-m amyloid accumulates in connective tissue, causing the pathological consequences of the disease. Collagen is one of the main components of this tissue and has been proposed to be a possible contributing factor in the initiation of aggregation. Consistent with this, studies with ex vivo amyloid material show that there is a strict association between β-2-m and collagen within joints, while biochemical experiments have revealed tight binding between β-2-m and collagen.
This project will focus on the study of the interactions between collagen and β-2-m and its consequences for the formation of amyloid fibrils from a molecular viewpoint. We will study the specificity of interaction of β-2-m with different collagen sequence patterns and the influence of collagen on β-2-m stability, dynamics, and aggregation rate. For this project a complementary set of biophysical techniques, including mass spectroscometry, NMR, fluorescence, infrared spectroscopy and electron microscopy, will be used. The results will facilitate the design of small molecules or nanoparticles (copolimer, dendirmers) directed to interfere with the interaction of β-2-m with collegen as a route toward prevention of β-2-m fibrillization."
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 biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy electron microscopy
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy absorption spectroscopy
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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.
FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF
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
LS2 9JT Leeds
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.