Objective Research objectives and content Gene expression is regulated through transcriptional control, RNA processing, transport and localization rf RNA and translational control. A central element in this control system is the pre-mRNA splicing reaction mediated by a large RNA-protein complex called spliceosome. The aim of my PhD project will be to gain a more detailed insight into the structural organisation of snRNPs in order to understand the catalytic mechanism of pre-mRNA splicing at a molecular level. The project will be focused on U2 snRNP which is involved in branch site recognition. I will reassemble the U2 12S snRNP particle and parts thereof from overexpressed protein subunits and different RNA constructs for the biochemical characterisation and crystallographic analyses. The project is concerned with specific protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions within snRNPs, about how snRNPs achieve specific recognition of short RNA sequences within pre-mRNA and about interactions within snRNPs upon assembly into the entire spliceosome. Besides the information about this important biological process, general ideas about protein-protein and protein-RNA interaction are expected to evolve. Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact) The project offers a wide variety of different techniques ranging from molecular biolgy and protein biochemistry to structure determination, especially a profound training in xray crystallography. It also provides a deep theoretical knowledge about protein and RNA structures. Fields of science engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringcontrol systemsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeologymineralogycrystallographynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsRNA Programme(s) FP4-TMR - Specific research and technological development programme in the field of the training and mobility of researchers, 1994-1998 Topic(s) 0302 - Post-doctoral research training grants TL02 - Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme RGI - Research grants (individual fellowships) Coordinator MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology EU contribution No data Address Hills Road CB2 2QH Cambridge United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data Participants (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Not available Germany EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data
