Objective
This proposal concerns the study of non-canonical interactions in nucleic acids. These interactions, also known as non-Watson-Crick base pairing, involve single or multiple DNA or RNA strands and are increasingly recognized as having a variety of essential roles in replication forks, telomeres, and gene regulation. Since these processes occur on spatial and time scales beyond the reach of current computational capabilities, we propose to develop an innovative coarse-grain approach to describe them. This approach will tackle an important and yet unmet challenge - the correct description of non-canonical interactions at near-atomic resolution in large-scale nucleic acids. The model will be derived from exhaustive classical all-atom molecular dynamics simulations and will be validated against experimental observables including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and small angle x-ray scattering. It will be used to describe non-canonical interactions – including Hoogsteen base pairs, which are the building blocks of triplex and quadruplex structures – and will incorporate the effects of epigenetic marks on DNA. The model will enable the description of the sequence dependent mechanical properties of guanine quadruplexes and triplex folds on temporal and spatial scales beyond the reach of current methods. As such, it will allow us to investigate the formation and dynamics of long triplex hybrids of DNA and RNA, the behaviour of long-non-coding RNAs interacting with naked DNA, and the effects of non-canonical interactions in systems relevant to chromatin. Thus, this model will be useful to predict and understand the molecular bases of fundamental open questions in biology and has a potential impact in molecular medicine and the pharmacological industry. Overall, this approach will provide an invaluable theoretical tool to describe nucleic acid structures and dynamics, contributing to the description and prediction of a wide range of genetic and epigenetic processes.
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 nucleic acids
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- natural sciences computer and information sciences computational science multiphysics
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2014
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
CB2 1TN CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom
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.