Descrizione del progetto
Metodo basato sulla microfluidica per la cristallizzazione delle proteine di membrana
Determinare la struttura 3D delle proteine di membrana da campioni cristallini sfruttabili rappresenta una sfida tecnica significativa, data la complessità e l’instabilità di queste macromolecole biologiche. Nonostante la loro importanza come bersaglio farmacologico, ad oggi sono state determinate solo 600 strutture cristalline di proteine di membrana. Vi è dunque urgente necessità di sviluppare metodi affidabili per cristallizzare le proteine di membrana. Il progetto RAMP, finanziato dal programma di azioni Marie Skłodowska-Curie, propone di incorporare la tecnologia basata sulla microfluidica nel processo di cristallizzazione per un controllo preciso delle condizioni sperimentali e delle proprietà dei cristalli generati. Concentrandosi sui trasportatori di membrana, i ricercatori sperano di poter fornire approfondimenti senza precedenti sulla funzione delle proteine bersaglio e di aprire la strada alla progettazione di farmaci relativi.
Obiettivo
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.
Campo scientifico
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesclassical mechanicsfluid mechanicsmicrofluidics
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeologymineralogycrystallography
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculeslipids
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmolecular biologystructural biology
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-ITN-ETN - European Training NetworksCoordinatore
38058 Grenoble
Francia