Project description
An innovative platform for the design of highly selective ligands
The development of ligands with high specificity against a particular target is of particular interest to biotechnology and therapeutics. However, producing high-affinity ligands that target many epitopes of a single molecule is challenging. The EU-funded APTAFRAME project has developed a new platform for the discovery of antibodies and aptamer nucleotides or peptides that bind to specific molecules. This platform combines DNA origami structures as a molecular 3D framework with structural feedback from cryo-electron microscopy reconstructions to aid the design of cooperative ligands for highly specific target recognition. The APTAFRAME platform is expected to find application in biosensor development, proteome analysis and diagnostics.
Objective
Affinity reagents such as antibodies and aptamers are of paramount importance as tools in biotechnology and the treatment of a wide range of diseases. However, despite their scientific and economAffinity reagents such as antibodies and aptamers are of paramount importance as tools in biotechnology and the treatment of a wide range of diseases. However, despite their scientific and economic impact it remains challenging to systematically generate high-affinity ligands to cover all epitopes of a given target. Here I propose a strategy to provide spatial control over ligand discovery process leveraging the power of in vitro evolution in conjunction with the spatial addressability of DNA nanotechnology methods. Together they form a new discovery platform for the systematic and parallel generation of ligands, specifically aptamers and single-chain Fv antibody fragments (scFv), to provide coverage of epitopes at predefined targets. The proposed strategy exploits cooperative binding (avidity), by co-evolution of the affinity reagents, in the context of a defined molecular three-dimensional framework provided by DNA origami structures. This further expedites structure determination of ligand-target complexes by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The combination of rational framework design, in vitro evolution and structural feedback provided by cryo-EM reconstructions will provide a toolbox for the systematic generation of ligands to all accessible epitopes. Our approach also provides a tool for electron microscopy reconstruction of smaller (< 100kDa) biomolecules and their molecular interactions by enhancing contrast and providing context. Once established, this approach will provide a transformational technology platform that enables the parallel interrogation of multidimensional, spatially resolved libraries, yielding cooperative ligands for highly specific target recognition, with direct applications in biosensor development, proteome analysis, diagnostics and therapy.
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 proteins proteomics
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences evolutionary biology
- engineering and technology nanotechnology
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy electron microscopy
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panel
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
SN2 1FL SWINDON
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.