Description du projet
Une méthode de cristallisation des protéines membranaires basée sur la microfluidique
La détermination de la structure 3D des protéines membranaires à partir d’échantillons de cristaux exploitables représente un défi technique de taille, compte tenu de la complexité et de l’instabilité de ces macromolécules biologiques. En dépit de leur importance en tant que cibles médicamenteuses, seules 600 structures cristallines uniques de protéines membranaires ont été déterminées à ce jour. Il est par conséquent urgent de développer des méthodes fiables de cristallisation des protéines membranaires. Financé par le programme Actions Marie Skłodowska-Curie, le projet RAMP propose d’intégrer une technologie basée sur la microfluidique dans le processus de cristallisation pour un contrôle précis des conditions expérimentales et des propriétés des cristaux créés. En se concentrant sur les transporteurs membranaires, les chercheurs nourrissent l’espoir de fournir des informations sans précédent sur la fonction des protéines cibles et ainsi ouvrir la voie à la conception de médicaments afférents.
Objectif
Membrane proteins form more than 85% of drug targets, but just 600 unique membrane protein crystal structures have been determined. A better understanding of how to crystallize membrane proteins reliably is therefore urgently required. The Innovative Training Network “RAtionalising Membrane Protein crystallisation” – RAMP will bring together cutting-edge physical chemistry methods for crystallisation condition control and phase diagram exploration, and the development of new lipids and screens in conjunction with industry with the most challenging biological problems. The network includes expert academic and industrial research groups in crystallisation theory, methods development, membrane protein crystallography, drug development and novel structural techniques like time-resolved and neutron crystallography. We will develop new, rational methods for crystallising membrane proteins, focusing particularly on transporters that are also interesting drug targets. The new robust crystallisation methods will also allow us to use emerging European research infrastructures like XFEL or ESS to gain insight into membrane protein function because the techniques will provide the necessary precise control of crystal size.
A structured training programme organized by academia and industry together will equip the early stage researchers with the skills needed for a successful research career in the field of structural biology. Frequent secondments, research visits and meetings between early-career scientists ensure an efficient exchange of ideas and practical experiences between different groups leading to better integration of European research and innovations in structural biology. Supervision and mentoring by several senior scientists will give the researchers a strong scientific education and make them highly competitive in the work place of tomorrow. The work programme here will improve European competitiveness and advance graduate training.
Champ scientifique
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesclassical mechanicsfluid mechanicsmicrofluidics
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeologymineralogycrystallography
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculeslipids
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmolecular biologystructural biology
Programme(s)
Régime de financement
MSCA-ITN-ETN - European Training NetworksCoordinateur
38058 Grenoble
France