RNAct is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (MSCA-ITN) project with the research aim of designing novel RNA recognition motif (RRM) proteins for exploitation in synthetic biology and bio-analytics. This is achieved through a design cycle that starts with computational approaches at the sequence and structure levels of proteins and RNA, in order to select amino acid positions and mutations for large-scale phage display experiments with RNA screening. Viable RRMs will be further investigated at the atomic level with integrative structural biology approaches, and will be applied in synthetic biology, to post-transcriptionally regulate fatty acid processing via RRMs, and in bio-analytics, to detect RNA in-cell and design RNA biochips.
RNAct creates a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary platform to train ten early-stage researchers (ESRs) with versatile computational and experimental skills, a high level of professional maturity, and an excellent academic and non-academic career opportunities. This platform includes:
- Training in molecular work for bio-analytics and synthetic biology
- Training on topical and transferable skills
- A buddy system to ensure links between computation and experiment
- Involvement in both academic and industry environments
- Engagement in dissemination and communication actions
- involvement in innovation activities