Twinning for excellence in biophysics of protein interactions and self-assembly (Twin2PIPSA)

TWIN2PIPSA将通过与剑桥大学(UCAM)、哥本哈根大学(UCPH)和特拉维夫大学(TAU)这三个世界领先的研究和技术开发机构合作开展联合双胞胎活动，提高FC.ID/ULisboa(葡萄牙)在蛋白质折叠生物物理学和构象疾病领域的研发能力。蛋白质的折叠和错误折叠、它们在细胞中的相互作用和自我组装是生物学的核心，并与影响全球数百万人的疾病有关。所谓的构象疾病包括白内障、代谢紊乱和神经退行性病变，如阿尔茨海默病。关于调节蛋白质相互作用和自组装能力的知识对于开发基于蛋白质的生物材料(如生物粘附胶)的应用或设计治疗性抗体生物制品至关重要。TWIN2PIPSA满足了当地的需求，并将通过研究体外和活细胞中的病理自组装、蛋白质材料的纳米级表征以及将提高FC.ID/ULisboa的国际形象和科学地位的综合生物分子模拟而产生杰出的贡献。这将使当地形成一个优秀的集群，其科学和技术突破将增强项目合作伙伴和行业部门在其区域创新生态系统中的能力。这一伙伴关系和网络将显著增强这家不断扩大的机构的研发能力和葡萄牙的创新业绩。TWIN2PIPSA包括几项孪生活动：工作人员交流、借调到合作伙伴、专家访问、会议、培训学校和一个将转化为生物医学和生物技术成果的联合探索项目。还计划通过指导和工作人员交流来加强FC.ID/ULISBOA赠款办公室的研究管理能力和行政技能的专门活动

TWIN2PIPSA will improve R&I capacities of FC.ID/ULisboa (Portugal) in the field of protein folding biophysics and conformational diseases by partnering in joint Twinning activities with three world-leading research and technological development performers: the University of Cambridge (UCAM), the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), and Tel Aviv University (TAU). The folding and misfolding of proteins, their interactions and self-assembly in cells is central to biology and has implications in diseases that affect millions of people worldwide. The so-called conformational diseases include cataracts, metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer’s Disease. Knowledge on the ability to modulate protein interactions and self-assembly is critical to develop applications of protein-based biomaterials like bioadhesive glues or to design therapeutic antibody biologics. TWIN2PIPSA fulfils local needs and will generate outstanding contributions through investigations of pathological self-assembly in vitro and in living cells, nanoscale characterization of protein-based materials and implementation of integrative biomolecular simulations that will raise the international profile and scientific standing of FC.ID/ULisboa. This will enable a local cluster of excellence whose scientific and technological breakthroughs will empower both project partners and the industry sector in their regional innovation ecosystems. The partnership and network will significantly reinforce the R&I capabilities of the widening institution and Portugal’s innovation performance. TWIN2PIPSA comprises several Twinning activities: staff exchanges, secondments to partners, expert visits, meetings, training schools and a joint exploratory project that will translate into biomedical and biotechnological outcomes. Dedicated activities to reinforce research management capacities and administrative skills of FC.ID/ULisboa grant office through mentoring and staff exchanges are also plannedno public description