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H2020Staff exchange2019–2023

ProMeTeus · Membrane protein integrated technologies development for drug design

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2019-01-01 → 2023-12-31
EU contribution
€464,600
Participants
11
Scheme
MSCA-RISE

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Membrane protein integrated technologies development for drug design

Prometeus addressed the need to provide academic groups in Europe that target membrane proteins with relevance in health and technology global issues (antibiotic design, prostatic cancer, cancer theranostics, nanotechnology) with training in key advanced technologies provided by SME or TC large facilities. The scientific aim of the Prometeus RISE-H2020-MSCA project was to study membrane proteins to solve health and technology global issues and the scientific activity was carried out in the context of the MSCA-RISE Actions, mainly by seconding personnel in a trans-national and trans-sectiorial fashion. The consortium consists of 9 beneficiaries and 2 partners of which 7 are academic and 4 are SME. The results were achieved by harnessing complementary skills from Academic and SME participants. We had the contribution of Partner Organizations from the USA, committed to training personnel from the Prometeus Partners: the New York Structural Biology Center and the Advanced Scientific Research Center of City University of New York. Our scientific goal was the structural and functional analysis of membrane protein. Based on this information we carried out an in silico search of ligands to be tested experimentally using activity assays devised in the course of the project. Finally, we the achieved the sythesis of new compounds that could be the substrates or inhibitors and potentially, leads for new drugs. The targets enzymes have been i) Arabinofuranosyltransferases (AraTs), membrane enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of arabinan, an important component of the unique cell-envelope of Mtb, and drug targets for tuberculosis therapy; ii) Steroid alpha-dihydrogenases (SRD5A), membrane enzymes involved in steroid enzymes activation and modification, actively investigated as targets for prostatic diseases iii) odorant receptor proteins involved in perception of volatile and non-volatile odorants (chemicals and molecules) in vertebrates. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic challenge some of the Partners have worked in collaboration to contribute to the body of knowledge on SARS-CoV-2, utilizing the synergy of different know-how present in the Consortium.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The aim of the ProMeTeus Consortium is to provide high-quality multidisciplinary knowledge through training and research on the development of protein studies as molecular tools for drug development and drug delivery. The focus of the action is the creation of a synergistic pipeline to yield target membrane protein structures and characterization and bioactive molecules design, harnessing the complementary skills from Academic and SME participants. We propose to join key expertise in protein structural biology and biochemistry with state-of-the art facilities for membrane protein high-throughput target selection and expression. A strategic contribution will be provided by SME in key technologies (virtual screening, detergent science, organic synthesis and biotech) and in exploitation, dissemination and resource acquisition skills. We will deliver crucial data for the development of new leads for health issues such as the design of new antibiotics or new strategies for theranostics and foster a synergistic approach to novel bioactive compounds development between academic and SME. The acquisition of new skill from staff will come from secondments aimed at training on research topics not available at the home institutions and attendance to courses, workshops, seminar and conferences. In an era where academic institutions are called to participate actively in technological and industrial development and SME provide services to and benefit of the wide breadth of academic research programs, we will foster a culture of synergistic exchange and cross-fertilization.The consortium consists of 9 beneficiaries and 2 partners , of which 7 are academic and 4 are SME. During 4 years 16 ESRs, 6 ERs and 2 research managers will be seconded to 1 Institutions, where they will be supported by a team of leading scientists. The Network will promote the integration of academic and SME in combining excellent science with entrepreneurial approach and high-throughput methodologies.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA LA SAPIENZA · RomaCoordinatorItaly
  • CALIXAR · LyonFrance
  • EXTREMOCHEM LDA · IgrejinhaPortugal
  • FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV · MunchenGermany
  • INSTITUTO DE BIOLOGIA EXPERIMENTAL E TECNOLOGICA · OeirasPortugal
  • MOLIROM SRL · RomaItaly
  • NEW YORK STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY CENTER INC · New YorkUnited States
  • SAPIENZA INNOVAZIONE CONSORZIO · RomaItaly
  • THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK CORPORATION · New YorkUnited States
  • UNIVERSIDADE NOVA DE LISBOA · LisboaPortugal
  • UNIVERSITA POLITECNICA DELLE MARCHE · AnconaItaly

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union