Protein-DANCE: Investigating Proteins in Motion
Like dancers, proteins are constantly moving, shifting and reshaping. These molecular motions are central to protein function. However, measuring them experimentally remains time-consuming and expensive.
Reid Alderson leads his own laboratory at the Institute of Structural Biology (STB) and Institute of Computational Biology (ICB), respectively part of the Molecular Targets and Therapeutics Center and Computational Health Center at Helmholtz Munich. Through Protein-DANCE, he aims to develop a fast, multiplexed platform based on nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The platform will enable protein motions to be measured at high throughput and thus on a much larger scale than is currently possible.
How Molecular Motions Regulate Enzyme Function
Using the new platform, Alderson will investigate diverse families of enzymes, including enzymes designed using artificial intelligence. The aim is to determine how molecular motions regulate catalysis – the process by which enzymes accelerate chemical reactions.
Protein-DANCE will make it possible to measure protein motions on a much larger scale. In this way, the project could help advance structural biology from largely static snapshots towards a dynamic and predictive understanding of molecular mechanisms.
About the ERC
The ERC was established by the European Union in 2007 and funds excellent frontier research across Europe. It supports researchers of all nationalities and at different career stages through several funding schemes, including Starting Grants, Consolidator Grants, Advanced Grants and Synergy Grants. The ERC forms part of Horizon Europe, the EU’s framework program for research and innovation.
In the latest Starting Grant funding round, the ERC is awarding a total of €705 million to 421 researchers across Europe. The grants support researchers at the beginning of their scientific independence, enabling them to pursue ambitious projects and establish their own research teams. Each Starting Grant provides up to €1.5 million over a maximum period of five years. A total of 4,807 proposals were submitted in the latest funding round, of which 8.8% were selected for funding.
