Project description
Exploiting protein-carbohydrate interactions at the cellular level
Cell membranes contain glycolipids and glycoproteins with the sugar moieties extending to the outer surface of the cell, forming a dense layer known as the glycocalyx. The glycocalyx plays a key role in cell attachment and endocytosis, while it may also serve as a biomarker for neoplastic transformation. This emerging role of the glycocalyx indicates that it could be exploited in diagnosis and therapy. The mission of the EU-funded synBIOcarb project is to train the next generation of experts in glycoscience and the engineering of glycoproteins. Apart from providing fundamental knowledge in key biological processes and disease mechanisms, the project will employ synthetic technologies to produce novel molecular complexes with diverse applications.
Objective
The aim of the Initial Training Network will be to train 15 early stage researchers in the emerging field of synthetic glycobiology, equipping them with the skills needed for future careers in the medical technologies sector.
Every living cell is covered in a coating of complex carbohydrates known as the glycocalyx. Anything that approaches the cell membrane must first descend through this forest of carbohydrates. Interactions between carbohydrates and lectins (carbohydrate-binding proteins) play essential roles in cell adhesion and endocytosis. Our growing understanding of glycoscience, and the advent of chemical and synthetic biology methodologies, presents an opportunity to redesign, synthesise and exploit glycocalyx and lectin components for diverse analytical, diagnostic and targeted therapeutic applications: this is the field of Synthetic Glycobiology.
The ESF-funded report, “A Roadmap for Glycosicence in Europe”, has highlighted the importance of glycoscience to the European bioeconomy. The European glycomics market is growing rapidly (>10% growth p.a.). There is an urgent need to train ESRs with the scientific and entrepreneurial skills required to enable European industry to exploit this rapidly growing market.
The synBIOcarb ETN brings together a diverse team of chemists, structural biologists, biophysicists, cell biologists and protein engineers who are pioneering the development of Synthetic Glycobiology, and four SMEs that are leading industrial innovation in glycoscience and protein engineering. Together, we will train 15 ESRs in the essential enabling technologies that underpin the development and exploitation of glycoscience: glycoconjugate synthesis; lectin engineering; biophysical interaction measurements; cell biology; analytical device technologies; entrepreneurial and transferable skills.
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 synthetic biology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules carbohydrates
- social sciences economics and business economics bioeconomy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.1.3.1. - Fostering new skills by means of excellent initial training of researchers
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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-ITN - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN)
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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-ITN-2018
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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.
LS2 9JT Leeds
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.