Project description
Uncovering the process of cholesterol transport
Cholesterol is a vital lipid that maintains membrane integrity and is implicated in cell signalling and proliferation. Its distribution inside cells is tightly controlled, but many aspects of intracellular cholesterol transport remain poorly understood. This is due to overlapping functions among transport proteins and the lack of effective molecular probes. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the CHOTENICS project aims to uncover the mechanisms of cholesterol transport through fast-acting small molecules that modulate cholesterol distribution. The proposed novel chemical genetics approach is expected to reveal new biological pathways and drug targets, offering therapeutic insights into the process of cholesterol transport.
Objective
Cholesterol is a unique lipid, essential for membrane integrity, cell signalling and cell proliferation. Accordingly, mammalian organisms have evolved an elaborate myriad of mechanisms to control cholesterol transport and distribution within cells. However, our understanding of these mechanisms remains incomplete due to (i) the functional redundancy inherent among cholesterol transporters, which limits their study through conventional genetic approaches, and (ii) the general lack of suitable probes.
CHOTENICS aims to address this knowledge gap by exploring intracellular cholesterol transport using a novel chemical genetics approach. The project is built on the hypothesis that fast-acting chemical tools can rapidly modulate subcellular cholesterol distribution, enabling direct dissection of transport mechanisms before indirect effects manifest. To accomplish this goal, a high-content screening assay will be first developed to track cholesterol localisation, and then used to identify small molecules that modulate its transport. Chemical optimisation and mass spectrometry-based target identification will provide target hypotheses that will be further tested using biophysical assays and validated via genetic methods. This integrated approach is ground-breaking since it will reveal cholesterol transport pathways, mechanisms, and drug targets, and will uncover the therapeutic potential of targeting cholesterol transport processes.
CHOTENICS is designed to complement the current knowledge of the researcher in chemical synthesis and biological assay development, provide specific training in proteomics and genetics, and equip the researcher with new technical and transferable skills to become a well-rounded chemical biologist. The host organisation will gain from the researcher’s expertise in chemistry and biology and find opportunities to expand its network of international collaborations.
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 genetics
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology cell signaling
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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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.
2800 Kongens Lyngby
Denmark
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.