Project description
Decoding the sugar code of human tissue
Glycosaminoglycans, or GAGs, are sugar molecules that constitute a significant part of the extracellular matrix. Since GAGs are involved in everything from cell growth to wound healing, they can cause neurological disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer if they become dysfunctional. For this reason, it is necessary to understand how these complex sugars are constructed in human tissue. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the GlycoDIVE project aims to map the molecular equipment for GAG assembly. It will focus on the heparan sulphate and chondroitin/dermatan sulphate biosynthetic enzymes. Integrating biochemistry, structural biology, and cell biology, the project is expected to shed light on the molecular guidelines of GAG assembly and open a path to future therapies.
Objective
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are negatively charged polysaccharides that form a key part of the extracellular matrix in animal tissues, from marine corals to humans. They play crucial roles in cell signaling, mediating processes such as embryonic development, cell growth and proliferation, cell adhesion, anticoagulation, and wound repair. Given their diverse functions, GAG dysregulation is linked to various medical conditions, including neurological, cardiovascular, infectious, and inflammatory diseases, as well as diabetic complications and cancer. While much is known about their roles in health and disease, gaps remain in understanding of how they are synthetized in human tissues. This project aims to investigate glycosyltransferases that participate in the synthesis of heparan sulfate and chondroitin/dermatan sulfate at a molecular level. By integrating biochemistry, structural biology (including cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography), and cell biology, our goal is to uncover the molecular mechanisms that distinguish these polysaccharides. Thus, this project aims to address fundamental questions in GAG biosynthesis and to provide a molecular basis for the development of GAG-based therapies in future studies.
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 cell biology cell signaling
- natural sciences biological sciences developmental biology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules carbohydrates
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology structural biology
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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.
75794 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.