Identification of molecular targets of psychoactive kavalactones using iBodies

Project description

A novel technology for the identification of natural drug targets

Advances in genomics and metabolomics technologies have rekindled drug discovery efforts using natural chemicals. However, the identification of protein targets of these new bioactive molecules remains laborious. To address this issue, the EU-funded KavaTarget project will design a novel methodology for discovering molecular targets of small molecules using innovative probes called iBodies. Researchers will focus on metabolites with well-documented anti-anxiety properties from Piper methysticum or kava, a crop of the Pacific islands. They will validate their approach by identifying the brain receptors and hepatocyte enzymes that constitute primary targets of these kava metabolites. Long term, the iBodies methodology will offer the opportunity to develop non-opioid therapeutics of natural origin.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › biological sciences › biochemistry › biomolecules › proteins › enzymes

Programme(s)

• H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility

Topic(s)

• MSCA-IF-2019 - Individual Fellowships

Call for proposal

H2020-MSCA-IF-2019
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panel

Coordinator

USTAV ORGANICKE CHEMIE A BIOCHEMIE, AV CR, V.V.I.

Address

Flemingovo Nam. 542/2
16610 Praha 6
Czechia

Activity type

Research Organisations

Links

EU contribution

€ 156 980,64