Acronym
J4-50147
Department:
Department of Biology
Type of project
ARIS projects
Type of project
Basic research project
Role
Lead
Duration
01.10.2023 - 30.09.2026
Total
1,07 FTE
Project manager at BF
Sepčić KristinaAbstract
In this project, we aim to critically evaluate the potential of recombinant lipid-binding aegerolysin proteins OlyA6, OlyA6-E69A, EryA, alone or in combination with their MACPF protein partners as theranostic tools in biomedicine. Fluorescently labelled EryA will be assessed as a molecular marker of apoptotic mammalian cells, and the fluorescently labelled OlyA6 mutant E69A will be tested as a complementary tool to detect and study cholesterol-associated and free SM in membranes of living mammalian cells. Finally, we will specifically label urothelial carcinoma cells with selected fluorescently labelled aegerolysins or induce their lysis by the aegerolysin/MACPF complexes. Using artificial and biological membrane binding assays, fluorescence methods and toxicity assays, we will select the best aegerolysin-based complex for further use in the treatment of urothelial carcinoma.
The phases of the project and their realization
| Tasks and their planned realization | Months from start | |||||
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| 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 | 36 |
| 1.1: Production of recombinant proteins | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| 1.2: Physical and chemical characterization of artificial membrane vesicles containing aegerolysin lipid targets | x | x | x | x |
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| 1.3: Evaluation of aegerolysin interactions with specific membrane lipids using artificial lipid systems | x | x | x | x |
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| 2.1: In-vitro assessment of the potential of OlyA6 and E69A as sphingomyelin markers in mammalian cells | x | x | x |
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| 2.2: In-vitro assessment of the potential of EryA-mCherry as marker of apoptotic mammalian cells |
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| x | x | x |
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| 3.1: In-vitro assessment of the potential of aegerolysin-based complexes as tools for selective elimination of cancer epithelial cells |
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| x | x | x | x |
| 4.1: Project management activities | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| 4.2: Dissemination and communication activities |
| x | x | x | x | x |