Objective
"Archaea constitute the third domain of life and are believed to be close to the origin of life. They comprise a diverse group of micro-organisms that combine bacterial and eukaryotic features, but also employ many novel mechanisms. They possess a unique cell envelope with a cytoplasmic membrane of ether lipids surrounded by a proteinaceous S-layer and various cell appendages such as flagella, pili and more unusual structures. Studies have shown that the archaeal flagellum is an unique structure as it functionally resembles the bacterial flagellum, but structurally it is a simple type IV pilus. Moreover, we have shown that this type IV pilus can rotate. Therefore I propose to name the archaeal flagellum, the archaellum, as it is fundamentally different from the bacterial flagellum.
In this proposal I aim to understand the assembly and mechanism of rotation of the archaellum of the thermocacidophilic crenarchaen Sulfolobus acidocaldarius by using biochemical, genetic and biophysical methods. The main milestons are:
- Biochemical and structural characterization of all archaellum subunits
- To understand the assembly pathway of the archaellum and the interactions of its different
subunits
- To understand how rotation of the filament is achieved and which subunits are important
for this movement
This work will identify a new, relatively simple motor complex that has evolved from primordial type IV pili assembly machineries and therefore uncover general principles of macromolecular assemblies at cellular surfaces and a novel mechanism to generate mechanical force that can be translated into movement."
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 lipids
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology
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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.
ERC-2012-StG_20111109
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.
Host institution
79098 Freiburg
Germany
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.