Projektbeschreibung
Boolesche Algebra für Genomeditierung
Boolesche Operatoren kommen in der Wissenschaft überall zum Einsatz. So können auf einfache Weise Bedingungen „getestet“ werden, z. B.: wenn A „UND“ B wahr sind; wenn A „ODER“ B wahr ist; usw. Anwendungen sind vielfältig und reichen von Softwareprogrammierung über Datenbanksuchmaschinen bis hin zu täglichen logischen Entscheidungen, derer man sich gar nicht bewusst ist. Das Projekt I-GENE wendet die Boolesche Logik sowie Nanotransducer nun in der Genomeditierung an, um deren Sicherheit deutlich zu verbessern. Nanotransducer sind winzige Partikel, die Energie in Signale umwandeln. Mit Multi-Input AND-Gates, die Nanotransducer aktivieren UND mehrere spezifische Gen-Loci erkennen, will I-GENE das richtige Target identifizieren, um die Genomeditierung sicherer werden zu lassen und ihren therapeutischen Einsatz zu erweitern.
Ziel
CRISPR/Cas9 and enzyme-based editors hold promise for genome surgery by erasing harmful mutations and re-writing in helpful ones, but face critical barriers related to safety. Here, we propose a new concept of genome engineering based on nanotransducers (NT), which aims to make safe previously impracticable applications of genome editing and transcriptional regulation by Cas9. The methodology is based on laser-activation of a NT, which triggers a thermo-switchable double strand DNA break or cleavage. The proposed technology implements a concept of multi-input AND gates, where the output (gene editing) is true if multiple inputs are true (e.g. NT activation and recognition of 2 different loci). Indeed, the dream of unique recognition of the desired genomic target from any potential off-targets in the 3 billion base pairs of human genome would be possible. The superiority of I-GENE technology over current methodologies lies also in the multi-function integration, i.e. integration of the time function (editing only when the laser is on), the spatial function (editing only where the laser is focused) and the fidelity function (editing only if on-target) (when-where-if functions integration). Overall, this enables temporal control of single cell editing and provides an absolute safety level for developing effective genome editing for biotechnology and therapeutic applications. In the present project, proof on concept studies for technology optimization will be performed on non-mammalian zebrafish embryos. Subsequently, the therapeutic potential will be validated in a murine model of melanoma. I-GENE technology would push the boundaries of efficient and reliable ways to make precise, targeted changes to the genome of living cells that is the long-standing and main goal of gene therapy and biomedical researchers.
Wissenschaftliches Gebiet
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringgene therapy
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologyskin cancermelanoma
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineembryology
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomes
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticslaser physics
Schlüsselbegriffe
Programm/Programme
Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung
Andere Projekte für diesen Aufruf anzeigenUnterauftrag
H2020-FETOPEN-2018-2019-2020-01
Finanzierungsplan
RIA - Research and Innovation actionKoordinator
56126 Pisa
Italien