Project description
Dynamically mapping protein proton transfer
Proton transfer in proteins – where a positive hydrogen ion (proton) moves along a pathway – drives cellular energetics, enzymatic catalysis, signal transduction and other biological functions. The dynamic transfer process and related pathways traversed are largely unknown. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the TrackingProtons project aims to monitor proton transfer in real time. Leveraging light-sensitive non-canonical amino acids – natural or synthetic amino acids not among the 20 genetically encoded ones – it will incorporate a light-sensitive donor amino acid and a proton acceptor in the same protein scaffold. Optical excitation will initiate the driving force for proton transfer, which will be tracked using complementary ultrafast fluorescence and infrared spectroscopy.
Objective
Proton transfer (PT) underpins a wide range of protein functions in biology, including bioenergetics, enzymatic catalysis, pH regulation, protein stability, membrane transport, and signal transduction. Despite its central role, directly mapping PT pathways inside proteins remains a major challenge, as current methods typically capture only the end products of PT rather than the transfer process itself. TrackingProtons seeks to overcome this limitation by establishing a new strategy to initiate and monitor PT in real time using genetically encoded, light-sensitive non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs). These ncAAs act as photoacids and photobases that undergo large, reversible pKa shifts upon optical excitation, creating a strong driving force for PT between defined sites within proteins. The project will develop an orthogonal genetic code expansion system to enable site-specific dual incorporation of a proton donor and acceptor into the same protein scaffold. Carbonic anhydrase, a prototypical PT enzyme, will serve as the model system, with PT dynamics tracked using complementary ultrafast fluorescence and infrared spectroscopy. This approach will provide the first direct observation of PT trajectories with molecular precision, offering transformative insights into proton-coupled processes across biology. Beyond advancing fundamental understanding, the project will establish expertise at the interface of protein engineering and ultrafast spectroscopy, supporting the applicant’s progression toward scientific independence.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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-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.
S10 2TN SHEFFIELD
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.