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Content archived on 2024-06-25

Biophysical basis for regulation of gene expression by riboswitches

Objective

Functional interpretation of the sequences is a prerequisite to the medical and economic utilization of the genetic databases; it is a priority area in the European Union. Understanding the function of riboswitches (mRNAs that regulate gene expression) is part of deciphering the genetic code. The applicant, Dr. Szabolcs Osváth, has expertise in several biophysical techniques, molecular biology, and thermodynamic modelling. He is capable to learn new methods and introduce them at his home institution. After he learned molecular biology in the lab of Prof. Martin Gruebele, he returned to Hungary and set up a laboratory for recombinant protein expression at the Semmelweis University. In Vienna the applicant will work in the emerging new field of studying riboswitches. His work will provide the basis of an envisaged collaboration between three labs of the Max F. Perutz Laboratories.

The applicant will study the stability, folding and ligand binding of the flavin mononucleotide dependent riboswitch. This riboswitch is suitable for spectroscopic studies using fluorescence correlation methods on small sample volumes. The aim is to determine thermodynamic parameters that can serve as input for computer modelling. The training will enable the applicant to undertake independent research on riboswitches. Since there is a lot of excitement about their possible medical use, the topic fits particularly well to the applicant's home university, where focus is on medical training and research.

The applicant's home department h as a strong interest in macromolecular dynamics and welcomes this new line of research. After joining the European Union in 2004, there was a large increase in the number of the students, who wish to study in German, and more German speaking teachers would be needed. In Vienna the applicant will learn German intensively, to be able to teach biophysics in German, what will be very useful after returning to Hungary.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Topic(s)

Call for proposal

FP6-2002-MOBILITY-5
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

EIF - Marie Curie actions-Intra-European Fellowships

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA, MAX F. PERUTZ LABORATORIES
EU contribution
No data
Address


Austria
Total cost
No data