Objective
Research objectives and content
D-Galactofuranosyl residues occur in saccharides of glycocongugates found in parasites, such as those causing Chagas' Disease, but are not present in mammalian glycoconjugates. Inhibition of D-galactofuranose biosynthesis may therefore provide new therapeutic agents for the treatment of such diseases.
The synthesis of a disaccharide containing D-galactofuranose and its stable C-disaccharide analogue will be developed. The key synthetic step will utilise a tethered radical coupling of two monosaccharides as developed by Sinay and allow stereoselective formation of the interglycosidic C-C linkage. These disaccharides will be tested as direct inhibitors of the biosynthesis of D-galactofuranose, but will also be attached to a carrier protein and used to raise specific antibodies against Chagas' Disease.
Another aspect of the programme will focus on the synthesis of a stable C-linked analogue of UDP-galactofuranose, via a short series of known transformations This C-UDP-galactofuranose should directly inhibit the enzyme UDP-galactopyranose mutase, which has recently been studied by GlaxoWellcome and shown to be of central importance in the biosynthesis of galactofuranose.
Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact)
This project will provide: new experience in techniques of biochemistry (immunology and enzymology), an extended knowledge of carbohydrate chemistry and develop new practical skills in a broad range of modern synthetic methods.
Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)
Access to new therapeutic agents and a deeper understanding of galactofuranose biosynthesis should be of interest to GlaxoWellcome, given their recent studies on the mutase enzyme.
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.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine medicinal chemistry
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules carbohydrates
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
Data not available
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
75231 PARIS
France
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.