IF INTERACTIONS (293402)

  https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/293402

  FP7 (2007-2013)

  Self-Assembly, Structures and Interactions of Cell Specific Cytoskeleton

  Marie-Curie Action: "Career Integration Grants" (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG)

  proteins  ·  microscopy

  2011-08-01 Start Date (YY-MM-DD)

  2015-07-31 End Date (YY-MM-DD)

  € 100,000 Total Cost

  Description

Cell specificity plays a critical role in the complexity high-order organism can achieve. The cascade of signals and events leading embryonic stem-cells to differentiate has been a major research topic in the last century. During differentiation, cell-specific proteins are expressed in order to accommodate the necessary specific functions. Among other cell/tissue specific modulations, the cytoskeleton is altered during differentiation and at different developmental stages of a specific cell type. This is presumably to account for the constantly-changing mechanical strains and stresses, as well as interactions with the environment, intracellular transport and cell motility. We propose to study a class of cytoskeleton proteins, named intermediate filaments, which are expressed at various developmental stages and cell/tissue types of neuro-muscular origin. Interdisciplinary studies will include protein purification, biochemical characterization, high-resolution microscopy, as well as structural studies in hydrated state using small-angle x-ray scattering. Combining these multiple techniques, we aim to model and reveal how minor molecular differences between proteins from the intermediate filament family are translated into supramolecular forces that, in turn, alter the cytoskeleton elastic and mechanical properties.

  Complicit Organisations

1 Israeli organisation participates in IF INTERACTIONS.