Project description
Innovative deep learning model for efficient peptide design
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are vital to many physiological and pathological processes in the human body, making them promising targets for treating diseases such as bacterial infections and cancer. However, the therapeutic use and discovery of peptides are hindered by unfavourable physicochemical properties and inefficient, resource-intensive methods. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PeptimAIze project will develop a deep learning model specialised in generating therapeutic peptides to inhibit PPIs. To achieve this, the project will address gaps in current deep learning approaches to peptide design by developing, a model with improved interpretability. This model will overcome existing limitations while being more efficient and accessible.
Objective
PeptimAIze aims to develop a deep learning model capable of generating therapeutic peptides for inhibiting protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Many PPIs are essential to key physiological and pathological processes, making these interactions ideal targets for selective intervention in several human diseases, including cancer and bacterial infections. However, the therapeutic potential of peptides is often limited by unfavorable physicochemical properties, such as low solubility and poor bioavailability. Current peptide discovery approaches are time- and resource-intensive, generating significant waste through iterative and labour-intensive screening of compound batches across multiple optimisation rounds to experimentally achieve the desired physicochemical properties. While deep learning and generative models have recently emerged for on-demand peptide design, most focus on a single aspect, typically binding affinity, disregarding physicochemical properties and experimental validation. PeptimAIze addresses these gaps by developing a multi-objective deep learning model based on protein language processing that designs peptides by co-optimising binding to the target and the physicochemical properties necessary for optimal administrability and bioavailability. The model will incorporate explainable AI techniques to enhance interpretability and reveal which amino acids in the peptide sequence are associated with the tuning of each considered property. A key step will be the wet-lab validation of the model on targets responsible for vital bacterial functions (Doc/Phd) and cancer development (p53/MDM2 and Bcl-xL/Bak), demonstrating real-world lab applicability. To maximise impact and usability, the model will be deployed through an intuitive, user-friendly app, enabling researchers in academia and industry to design peptides with tailored properties.
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
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
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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
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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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.
SW7 2AZ London
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.