Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Development of a high-resolution method to monitor structural changes of regulatory RNAs and therapeutic oligo-nucleotides directly in-cell.

Objective

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are master regulators in cells with a complexity yet to be unraveled. By targeting one or more messenger RNAs (mRNAs) they affect a vast number of biological processes and are associated with a broad spectrum of diseases, including cancer. This makes them potential candidates for cancer-diagnostics and -therapeutics. This opportunity can only be fully exploited by a better comprehension of how and when each mRNA is targeted by a miRNA, a fact, which is currently still poorly understood. Besides regulatory RNAs, synthetic “anti-sense” oligonucleotides (AONs) are currently tested as cancer drugs. Progress in this field has been slow due to unspecific off-target-effects i.e. the lack of understanding, of the mechanism of AONs targeting mRNAs. This project focuses on overcoming this lack of knowledge of the targeting process. To understand the intermolecular interactions occurring in the cell we will, for the first time, monitor the molecular structure and structural changes (dynamics) of nucleotides (miRNAs as well as AONs) in the living cell, and link these in-cell structures to the molecule’s targeting function. Combining existing knowledge of the host in structural and molecular biology of miRNAs with the experience in methods development in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) of the experienced researcher (ER), we will develop a set of robust and reliable in-cell NMR methods to determine cellular concentration, structure and dynamics within the cell at high resolution. The scope of the method will be demonstrated on: (i) a miRNA, miR-34a, which targets more than 50 different mRNAs, related to cancer and other cellular processes, as well as (ii) an AON drug candidate in collaboration with AstraZeneca. This project will benefit drug development against various diseases and will enable the ER to contribute to solving today's health problems and develop further towards becoming a future group leader on the interface of research in academia and industry.

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.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Programme(s)

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.

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.

MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2016

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 185 857,20
Address
NOBELS VAG 5
171 77 STOCKHOLM
Sweden

See on map

Region
Östra Sverige Stockholm Stockholms län
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 185 857,20
My booklet 0 0