Objective
Coleus forskholii is a shrub of the Lamiaceae family, used as an ayurverdic medicinal plant. The roots of this plant are producing a labdane type diterpene named forskolin, known mainly for its pharmaceutical activity for protection against heart failure problems, hypertension treatment as it acts as vasodilator, anti-inflammatory properties and its effects in treating respiratory track problems. The medicinal activities of forskolin are due to its ability to activate the enzyme adenylyl cyclase and therefore to increase the levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in the cells. Today it is known that forskolin is produced exclusively by the roots of the species Coleus forskohlii, together with a plethora of different diterpenes, hence its availability is restricted. Thus, the aim of this research proposal is to set the base for the elucidation of the coleus diterpenoids pathways and second to generate production platforms for the controlled biotechnological synthesis of the metabolites of interest. This will be achieved using state of the art technologies and methodologies. New generation sequencing will be used for deep sequencing of the root bark transcriptome (the specialized root tissue responsible for the synthesis and accumulation of forskolin). Genes involved in forskolin and other diterpenoids production will be identified from the generated data bases, will be cloned and functionally characterized for identifying their exact role in the pathways. Upon characterization, selected genes will be expressed in the microbe yeast and/or in the moss Physcomitrella (a novel plant based terpenoid production platform, exhibiting numerous advantages in comparison with microbial systems) for the sustainable production of pure bioactive diterpenoids, which will enable the studies of the therapeutical properties of these metabolites but also the future scalable-up applications to meet pharmaceutical/commercial interests.
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.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine cardiology
- social sciences economics and business economics sustainable economy
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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Programme(s)
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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
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF
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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.
Coordinator
1165 KOBENHAVN
Denmark
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