Objectif This proposal concerns the study of non-canonical interactions in nucleic acids. These interactions, also known as non-Watson-Crick base pairing, involve single or multiple DNA or RNA strands and are increasingly recognized as having a variety of essential roles in replication forks, telomeres, and gene regulation. Since these processes occur on spatial and time scales beyond the reach of current computational capabilities, we propose to develop an innovative coarse-grain approach to describe them. This approach will tackle an important and yet unmet challenge - the correct description of non-canonical interactions at near-atomic resolution in large-scale nucleic acids. The model will be derived from exhaustive classical all-atom molecular dynamics simulations and will be validated against experimental observables including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and small angle x-ray scattering. It will be used to describe non-canonical interactions – including Hoogsteen base pairs, which are the building blocks of triplex and quadruplex structures – and will incorporate the effects of epigenetic marks on DNA. The model will enable the description of the sequence dependent mechanical properties of guanine quadruplexes and triplex folds on temporal and spatial scales beyond the reach of current methods. As such, it will allow us to investigate the formation and dynamics of long triplex hybrids of DNA and RNA, the behaviour of long-non-coding RNAs interacting with naked DNA, and the effects of non-canonical interactions in systems relevant to chromatin. Thus, this model will be useful to predict and understand the molecular bases of fundamental open questions in biology and has a potential impact in molecular medicine and the pharmacological industry. Overall, this approach will provide an invaluable theoretical tool to describe nucleic acid structures and dynamics, contributing to the description and prediction of a wide range of genetic and epigenetic processes. Champ scientifique natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesnucleic acidsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsRNAnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencescomputational sciencemultiphysics Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Thème(s) MSCA-IF-2014-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) Appel à propositions H2020-MSCA-IF-2014 Voir d’autres projets de cet appel Régime de financement MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinateur THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Contribution nette de l'UE € 195 454,80 Adresse TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS CB2 1TN Cambridge Royaume-Uni Voir sur la carte Région East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 195 454,80
