Obiettivo
The proposed research is intended to exploit RNA as a pharmaceutical target by the synthesis of rationally designed small molecules as lead structures and could potentially result in the development of novel antibiotics. The work will initially focus on substrates that bind specifically to the ribonucleic acid (RNA) components of the bacterial ribosome, which is a validated target for many known antibiotics. Additionally, technologies currently used for the global analysis of protein function, exemplified b y the biotin-small molecule conjugates, will be explored for the identification of novel RNA components as potential targets for small molecule interactions with therapeutic significance.
Finally, exploration of RNA tertiary structure will be performed by the synthesis of "dynamic libraries", where the individual final products will be generated in the presence of the biological target, resembling the outcome of a natural selection. Our approach will be expandable to other RNA-domains, like the GTPaseassociated domain in 23S rRNA, target of the antibiotic thiostrepton, or the internal ribosome entry sites (IRES), which are important targets for the treatment of viral pathogens such as polio and hepatitis C. This project represents an interdisciplinary approach, comprising of synthetic, spectroscopic, biological, and computational studies and is expected to elucidate the pharmacological profile of various RNA components and increase our understanding for their individual function.
In addition to the obvious training opportunities for young researchers in the different scientific fields involved, its successful completion will place EU in the lead of the world stage in the field of RNA, will create new opportunities for the development of biotechnology and pharmaceutics and will improve overall our quality of life.
Campo scientifico
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriology
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesRNA viruseshepatitis C
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsantibiotics
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsRNA
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsantivirals
Argomento(i)
Invito a presentare proposte
FP6-2005-MOBILITY-8
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Meccanismo di finanziamento
EXT - Marie Curie actions-Grants for Excellent TeamsCoordinatore
AGHIA PARASKEVI ATTIKIS
Grecia