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Emergence of New Phases in Biopolymer Systems

Project description

A new model for understanding proteins

Proteins are large molecular machines that play several critical roles in cells and, by consequence, in the structure, function and regulation of the body. The EU-funded EMPHABIOSYS project will improve our understanding of proteins based on a model that connects conventional polymer phases and those adopted by biomolecules. It will apply a highly interdisciplinary method that includes biology, chemistry, computer science, physics and mathematics. More specifically, the project seeks to identify the selection of the native state structure and the propensity of proteins to form amyloids connected with debilitating diseases as well as investigate the dynamics of protein folding and misfolding. It will also study the interactions between DNA and proteins.

Objective

The aim of the project is to understand proteins, the molecular machines of life, using a highly interdisciplinary approach encompassing biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, and mathematics. Our work will be directly relevant to tackle the societally important problem of human health, it will be useful for making nifty machines in the lab and eventually could form the basis for the creation of artificial life itself. The starting ingredient of the EMPHABIOSYS project is a model for proteins recently developed by the applicant and her supervisors that serves to bridge conventional polymer phases and those adopted by biomolecules. We will proceed with a hierarchical inclusion of increasing levels of details that is fully controlled and will provide invaluable insights on the underlying mechanisms and direct comparison to experiments. We will incorporate directional interactions mimicking hydrogen bonds; we will include sequence specificity to understand the selection of the native state structure and the propensity of proteins to form amyloid implicated in debilitating diseases; we will then proceed to an understanding of the dynamics of protein folding and misfolding; and ultimately to the study of protein-DNA interactions. The first two steps will be carried out at University of Oregon under the guidance of international leaders and will enable me to master experimental approaches along with mathematical rigor and physical intuition. The final step will be carried out during the third year of the project at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and will benefit from the network of collaborations established with the Universities of Vienna, San Sebastian and Oslo. The award of the fellowship will be crucial for me to establish my scientific career, to communicate the joy of doing science, to inspire and mentor the next generation of young women (and men) to become scientific leaders, and to make our world a better place in the spirit of Marie Curie.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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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.

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.

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITA CA' FOSCARI VENEZIA
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 269 002,56
Address
DORSODURO 3246
30123 VENEZIA
Italy

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Region
Nord-Est Veneto Venezia
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 269 002,56

Partners (1)

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