Design Principles of Fusogenic Proteins for Lipid Vesicles
Public support
Provider
Czech Science Foundation
Programme
Standard projects
Call for proposals
SGA0202600001
Main participants
Masarykova univerzita / Středoevropský technologický institut
Contest type
VS - Public tender
Contract ID
26-21033S
Alternative language
Project name in Czech
Design Principles of Fusogenic Proteins for Lipid Vesicles
Annotation in Czech
With 10 million lives claimed each year, cancer remains among the leading causes of mortality worldwide—a stark reminder of the urgent need for new treatments. One promising strategy is cancer immunotherapy vaccines using mRNA encapsulated in lipid carriers, facilitating mRNA transport into target cells. However, the mRNA delivery into the cytosol remains challenging due to limited endosomal escape. To enhance the escape, we propose to computationally design proteins that induce fusion between lipid vesicles and endosomes. Using mesoscopic computer simulations, we will identify key protein features required for membrane fusion. Using these insights and both coarse-grained and all-atom models, we will design protein sequences capable of inducing fusion. In parallel, we will experimentally test the effectiveness of the designed proteins in promoting vesicle fusion and cytosolic delivery using fluorescence measurements. Functionalizing lipid vesicles with fusogenic proteins has the potential to significantly improve the delivery of degradation-prone therapeutics, such as RNA.
Scientific branches
R&D category
ZV - Basic research
OECD FORD - main branch
10610 - Biophysics
OECD FORD - secondary branch
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OECD FORD - another secondary branch
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CEP - equivalent branches <br>(according to the <a href="http://www.vyzkum.cz/storage/att/E6EF7938F0E854BAE520AC119FB22E8D/Prevodnik_oboru_Frascati.pdf">converter</a>)
BO - Biophysics
Solution timeline
Realization period - beginning
Jan 1, 2026
Realization period - end
Dec 31, 2028
Project status
Z - Beginning multi-year project
Latest support payment
—
Data delivery to CEP
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data delivery code
CEP26-GA0-GA-R
Data delivery date
May 4, 2026
Finance
Total approved costs
10,765 thou. CZK
Public financial support
10,765 thou. CZK
Other public sources
0 thou. CZK
Non public and foreign sources
0 thou. CZK