Objective Efficient exploitation of genome information will, among others, depend on our ability, to sequence-specifically modify genomic DNA in vivo. A consortium of 8 academic and 3 industrial units will engineer end nucleases and DNA methyltransferases of programmable specificities which can cleave or methyl ate a single site in a DNA as complex as the human genome. The ability of the enzymes to induce gene replacement or gene silencing by DNA cleavage or cytosine-methylamine, respectively, at predetermined sites will be explored. The project involves coupling of oligonucleotides (Dons) and peptide nucleic acids (Pans) to the N-or C-termini of the C5-methyltransterase Messy and a single-chain derivative of the restriction end nuclease Purim. The covalently attached Dons and Pans will serve as affinity tags to direct the enzyme to specific sequences in the genome. Methods will be developed to introduce the enzymes into cells. Conditions for avoiding enzyme action at non-specific sites will be explored. Development of enzymes of such high specificity should greatly enhance our ability to manipulate genomes and may lead to medical applications e.g. in gene therapy. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesnucleic acidsmedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringgene therapynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymes Programme(s) FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002 Topic(s) 1.1.1.-3. - Key action The "Cell factory" Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator FOUNDATION OF RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY - HELLAS EU contribution No data Address Vassilika vouton 71110 Iraklion Greece See on map Total cost No data Participants (10) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all AACHEN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Germany EU contribution No data Address Professor-pirlet-straße 1 52074 Aachen See on map Total cost No data BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH CENTRE - HUNGARIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Hungary EU contribution No data Address 62,temesvari krt. 62 6701 Szeged See on map Total cost No data EPIGENOMICS AG Germany EU contribution No data Address Kastanienallee 24 Berlin See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data FREIE UNIVERSITAET BERLIN Germany EU contribution No data Address Takustrasse 6 14195 Berlin See on map Total cost No data INSTITUTE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY Lithuania EU contribution No data Address 8,graiciuno street 8 2600 Vilnius See on map Total cost No data INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR GENETIC ENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY Italy EU contribution No data Address 99,padriciano 99 34012 Basovizza See on map Total cost No data JUSTUS-LIEBIG-UNIVERSITY OF GIESSEN Germany EU contribution No data Address 58,sriedrichstr. 24 35392 Giessen See on map Total cost No data PRIMM SRL Italy EU contribution No data Address Via olgettina 58 Milano See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF GRONINGEN Netherlands EU contribution No data Address Hanzeplein 1 9700 RB Groningen See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Framlington place NE2 4HH Newcastle upon tyne See on map Total cost No data