Objective
Research objectives and content
The identity of the long-elusive accessory factors for cellular infection by HIV- 1 has recently been shown to be family of seven-pass membrane proteins that naturally function as cellular receptors for the chemotactic and immunomodulatory chemokine proteins. However, many remaining questions concerning their role in infection in vivo have been hampered by the lack of highly specific and sensitive reagents. We aim to develop such reagents and, in doing so, shall investigate their potential as therapeutic agents. More specifically:
1. To develop novel ligands for chemokine receptors based on the selective evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) method. 2. To use biotinylated synthetic peptides derived from the extracellular portions of CXCR4, CCR5, CCR2b and CCR3 as selective agents and 2'-NH2 modified RNA as the library in physiological saline.
3. To screen the artificial ligands (aptamers) thus generated for specificity vs. cross-reactivity; for their ability to block chemokine receptor function; for their ability to block HIV- 1 infection in various primary and established cell types; for their affinity and binding kinetics to chemokine receptor-derived peptide in vitro; for their utility as flow cytometric and cytological immunofluorescent reagents for the detection of chemokine receptor expression.
Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact)
Acquisition of a range of skills in the following, leading-edge areas: molecular biology, nucleic acid chemistry, computer modelling, cell biology, virology. Experience of working in a major international institution with English as the principal means of communication. Links with industry I industrial relevance (22)
The sponsoring laboratory has links with the European nucleic acid chemistry-based pharmaceutical company, VPI, concerning related work. With synthetic RNAs. Glaxo-Wellcome, plc, has offered to provide training and support for this project.
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 nucleic acids
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases RNA viruses HIV
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology
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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.
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.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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.
Coordinator
OX1 3RE 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.