Objective Protein folding and function is a perfect arena towards growing the grassroots of quantitative and synthetic biology. This is so because all cellular processes controlled by proteins can ultimately be traced back to physico-chemical properties encoded in their aminoacid sequences. MOLRHEOSTAT is framed within these goals, focusing on the investigation of novel connections between protein folding and function via a multidisciplinary approach that combines experiment (single molecule spectroscopy, high-resolution NMR, protein engineering and design), theory and computer simulations.Conventionally, proteins are portrayed as conformational switches that fold and function by flipping between an on-state (native, active) and an off-state (inactive, unfolded) in response to stimuli. However, last years have witnessed the discovery of protein modules that undergo continuous conformational changes upon unfolding (downhill folding). MOLRHEOSTAT aims at investigating the functional and technological implications of downhill folding. The goal is to determine whether downhill folding modules can be exploited to build conformational rheostats; that is, proteins that continuously modulate a signal or response at the single molecule level by tuning their folding conformational ensemble. Conformational rheostats could open a new realm of applications as synthetic biomolecular devices as well as regulatory mechanisms for controlling complex biochemical processes carried out by macromolecular assemblies. These ideas will be explored on two specific objectives:1) Implementation of a general approach for building high-performance, ultrafast, single-molecule sensors based on downhill protein folding modules.2) Analysis of the roles of conformational rheostats in the regulation of three fundamental processes in molecular biology (coordination in protein networks, DNA sliding and homing-to-target of transcription factors, and molecular springs in macromolecular assemblies). Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencessynthetic biologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsprotein foldingnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopynatural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsmathematical modelnatural sciencesbiological sciencesmolecular biology 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-LS1 - ERC Advanced Grant - Molecular and Structural Biology and Biochemistry Call for proposal ERC-2012-ADG_20120314 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Host institution FUNDACION IMDEA NANOCIENCIA EU contribution € 1 109 523,16 Address CALLE FARADAY 9 CIUDAD UNIVERSITARIA DE CANTOBLANCO 28049 Madrid Spain See on map Region Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid Activity type Research Organisations Principal investigator Victor Muñoz (Prof.) Administrative Contact María Jesús Villa Hormaeche (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all FUNDACION IMDEA NANOCIENCIA Spain EU contribution € 1 109 523,16 Address CALLE FARADAY 9 CIUDAD UNIVERSITARIA DE CANTOBLANCO 28049 Madrid See on map Region Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid Activity type Research Organisations Principal investigator Victor Muñoz (Prof.) Administrative Contact María Jesús Villa Hormaeche (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS Participation ended Spain EU contribution € 1 180 795,48 Address CALLE SERRANO 117 28006 Madrid See on map Region Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Guillermo Sanjuanbenito Garcia (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
