Proteinveckning av ribosomer och prionsjukdomar
- Diarienummer
- IMF11-0098
- Start- och slutdatum
- 110701-121231
- Beviljat belopp
- 100 000 kr
- Förvaltande organisation
- Uppsala University
- Forskningsområde
- Livsvetenskaperna
Summary
The objective is to build up an active collaboration between two research groups with complementary competence; Suparna Sanyal, Uppsala (SS) and Marc Blondel, Brest (MB), connecting two cutting-edge research topics, namely protein folding activity of the ribosome (SS), and prion and other amyloid-based diseases (MB). These groups coauthored a publication in 2008, where the first link between the two research fields has been established (Tribouillard-Tanvier, 2008, PloSONE). This finding suggested the involvement of the ribosomes in prion propagation, which is the background for this proposal. The specific goal is to understand the role of ribosome assisted protein folding in the propagation of prion diseases, highly important for designing a prevention strategy for these fatal diseases. Work Plan: The mechanism of the ribosome assisted protein folding and the mode of action of the antiprion drugs inhibiting this function will be studied in molecular and genetic level. How ribosomes influence the formation of prion fibrils will be studied using Het-S prion system. Further, new antiprion drugs affecting the protein folding activity of the ribosome will be studied using genetic and biochemical tools. The success of the project will highly depend on a joint frame of work with combined efforts from the two groups. The funding will be used for bilateral visit and exchange of the PIs and other young researchers, joint participation in publications and international conferences.
Populärvetenskaplig beskrivning
Uppsala University is ranked highest in Sweden as a complete university (involving both education and research within all academic disciplines), according to the yearly academic ranking of the world’s top 500 universities published in August 2007 by the Jiao Tong University in Shanghai. The overall environment in the University is highly inspiring for first-rate research. The Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (ICM, Institutionen för Cell & Molekylärbiologi) at Uppsala University), is one of the topmost institutes in Sweden for biological research. ICM has eight scientific programs, closely knit, yet unique with strong scientific motivations. These programs are 1) Molecular Biology (headed by the applicant), 2) Microbiology, 3) Structural Biology, 4) Bioorganic Chemistry, 5) Immunology, 6) Biophysics, 7) Molecular Biometry and 8) Molecular Cellbiology. The scientists from different programs are engaged in bi- or multilateral collaborations with complementary and overlapping scientific competence areas.The department has a Board of faculty members elected from all the programs together with PhD students and administrative staff members. The applicant is a member the ICM Board. The department is ranked very high in the Swedish science in a recent evaluation quality and renewal report (See full report in http://usxs.fysik.uu.se/projectweb/451bc17f63905/Home%20Eng.html) and obtained a nationally competitive long term grant from the Swedish National Research Council (Linnestöd) for running ‘Uppsala RNA Research Center’ (URRC)., for which the applicant is the director. The department provides a stimulating environment for RNA related research. The PI of this application Suparna Sanyal is a member of ICM board and an active partner of URRC.