Project description
Imaging of biomolecular interactions at the single-molecule level
The EU-funded PHOTOMASS project aims to shed light on biomolecular interactions and self-assembly via direct visualisation of the molecular mechanisms. The research will capitalise on the recent development of mass photometry (MP) by the project partners. MP enables the detection and imaging of single biomolecules in solution as well as the determination of their molecular mass at the single-molecule level. This technology merges the high-resolution structural and low-resolution solution-based methods for studies of biomolecular interactions and assembly. The project leads to a broad range of applications, visualising the mechanism of viral capsid assembly, cytoskeletal dynamics, the amyloid aggregation, and others beyond molecular biophysics.
Objective
We propose to transform our understanding of biomolecular interactions and self-assembly by directly visualising the associated molecular mechanisms. To achieve this, we will capitalise on our recent development of interferometric scattering mass spectrometry (iSCAMS), which enables not only the detection and imaging of single biomolecules in solution, but also the accurate determination of their molecular mass at the single molecule level. These studies, and the development of the associated technology, will bridge the gap between high-resolution structural and low-resolution solution-based methods for studies of biomolecular interactions and assembly. We will achieve these ambitious goals by pursuing five interconnected objectives chosen according to their potential to maximise scientific and societal impact by addressing fundamental questions related to biological function and health: (1) Determine the physicochemical origins of mono- and polydispersity; (2) Visualise the mechanism of viral capsid assembly; (3) Reveal the molecular basis of cytoskeletal dynamics; (4) Capture the aggregation and inhibition of amyloid aggregation. These four system-oriented objectives will be accompanied by a technological objective, (5) aimed at implementing improvements in terms of dynamic range and resolution of iSCAMS required for studying self-assembly. As a consequence of the universal applicability of our approach for characterising molecular interactions, oligomeric distributions and dynamics in a facile fashion in solution, this ambitious project opens up a broad range of exciting applications beyond molecular biophysics in fields as drug-discovery, bioanalytical and biomedical science.
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 biochemistry biomolecules
- natural sciences biological sciences biophysics
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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.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant
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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) ERC-2018-COG
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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.
OX1 2JD Oxford
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.