Objective
Non-native conformations of proteins have recently attracted considerable attention in molecular and cell biology. Bionformatics studies of complete genomes suggested that a fairly large fraction of the proteins encoded by the DNA of different organisms ma y contain unstructured regions in the cell. Partially folded states of proteins have also been associated with misfolding diseases, such as Alzheimer's, type II diabetes and the transmissible encephalophaties.
In this research plan I propose to develop a strategy that uses experimental chemical shifts as a bias in computer simulations to determine the ensembles of structures corresponding to non-native states of proteins. Chemical shifts represent the diamagnetic screening on the atomic nuclei created by nearby electronic currents. They are relatively easy to measure experimentally by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and they can be translated into structural information.
The proposed method will be applied using recent experimental results about the partially folded states of alpha-lactalbumin and Staphylococcal Nuclease. A combination of experiments and simulations will be carried out in order to characterize the mechanism of folding and the free energy landscape of these proteins. It will also be possible to study of the effect of mutations on the structure of native and partially folded states of proteins. Planned applications will include a study of Bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BTPTI), the SH3 (drk) domain and Barnase.
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
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
- natural sciences mathematics applied mathematics mathematical model
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
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.
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.
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-5
See other projects for this call
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.
Coordinator
CAMBRIDGE
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.