Objective
Lectins are proteins that bind saccharides, thus mediating cell-cell and cell-pathogen adhesion. They are therefore implicated in many devastating diseases (cancer, diabetes). The pharmaceutical industry had to leverage the remarkable progress in modern methodologies to cope with the enormous challenges of targeting lectins (flexible interactions involving calcium, multivalent ligands/multimeric receptors), producing a dozen of successful glycomimetic drugs (e.g. Tamiflu). To develop workflows comparable to traditional drug/target complexes, however, deep knowledge of lectin/ligand interactions must be gained. This project aims to fill this gap by determining the properties of Ca2+-dependent lectins, LecA/B and DC-SIGN, implicated in bacterial infections of cystic fibrosis patients and viral infections (HIV-1, Ebola), respectively. We will establish the microscopic view of Ca2+ binding to these lectins using advanced molecular dynamics (MD), verified by quantum mechanical (QM) calculations, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and neutron crystallography. Then, we will work out protocol for predicting lectin-ligand binding modes and affinities using free-energy simulations, verified by NMR data. Finally, we will create a dynamic model of DC-SIGN tetramer by fitting to SAXS envelope and interpret multivalent binding types. The proposed project is novel and multidisciplinary. The applicant will acquire training in advanced experimental and computational techniques, which will re-enforce his career prospects in research and teaching. Conversely, he will transfer his knowledge of QM calculations to the host and partner institutions. This unique complementarity of competences will bring fundamental and practical understanding of lectin-ligand binding which will advance glycoscience research and industry. Future design of new patentable glycomimetics will impact Europe’s economy and society.
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 earth and related environmental sciences geology mineralogy crystallography
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkaline earth metals
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases viral diseases RNA viruses ebola
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry calorimetry
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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-2017
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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.
75794 Paris
France
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.