Objective
The two most fundamental features of molecular recognition are affinity and specificity. The proposed research aims to develop a new methodology for de novo design of small interaction networks not seen in Nature and to generate such networks with predetermined levels of specificity and affinity. In Preliminary Results we developed a methodology to de novo design protein binders of surfaces that have not been structurally characterized in bound form. We used this method to design three experimentally validated medium-affinity binders of the apo form of an acyl carrier protein (ACP), which has no co-crystal structures, demonstrating that interaction design could target a broad range of physicochemically appropriate surfaces. This synthetic network is the first multispecific system (one ACP interacts with three unrelated proteins), which is completely devoid of selective pressures for function other than binding, and will serve as a model to study how high affinity, specificity, and multispecificity might arise from non-interacting proteins. We will develop a multidisciplinary computational/experimental approach to substantially increase the affinity of the ACP to its binders by introducing stabilizing substitutions to residues on either one or both sides of each designed interface. Affinity will be further increased by experimental in vitro selection of higher-affinity variants of the ACP or of its partners. We will additionally erect specificity barriers between the ACP-binder pairs by redesigning the amino acid identities and backbones of interfacial loops. Specificity and affinity are important features in many protein-engineering applications, including the development of protein therapeutics and diagnostics, and the generation of synthetic signaling and metabolic networks. Small networks, such as the ones we produce here, may be future building blocks in these applications.
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 chemical sciences organic chemistry amines
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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.
FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG
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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.
MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG)
Coordinator
7610001 Rehovot
Israel
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.