EPIMODKIT | Generating monoclonal antibodies that selectively and specifically recognize epitranscriptomic modifications.

Summary
Epitranscriptomic modifications constitute specific marks in mRNA that regulate gene expression. Identification of
epitranscriptomic modifications requires next generation sequencing analyses and specific validation, processes that are cumbersome and time consuming. Furthermore, while some modifications are straightforward to identify, as they cause specific base changes (like RNA
editing), most are only detectable either through chemical means (requiring large quantities of material) or by immunoprecipitation
followed by sequencing. Of these techniques, immunoprecipitation requires far less material and can be used in any molecular
biology laboratory, but depends exquisitely on the quality of the monoclonal antibodies that recognize the modification - their
specificity, selectivity and sensitivity.
Most anti-modification antibodies are generated using traditional methods for the production of monoclonals to small
molecule haptens (e.g. conjugation to a large protein carrier and injection into animals together with an adjuvant). While these
methods can generate anti-hapten responses with some specificity they are generally not very selective. We have developed a novel
immunization platform that exquisitely focuses the antibody response to a hapten to generate high affinity monoclonals with a high
degree of specificity. We propose to employ this approach to generate anti-inosine antibodies (for the detection of editing in disease
contexts); anti-m6A antibodies (which would be benchmarked against the ones currently in use, validating our approach); and
antipseudo-uridine antibodies (a tool that is lacking in the field and for which traditional approaches have completely failed). The generation of specific and selective antibodies to these three modifications, will open the way toward a better understanding of their intricate molecular roles in biological proceGenerating monoclonal antibodies that selectively and specifically recognize epitranscriptomic modifications.
Unfold all
/
Fold all
More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/957643
Start date: 01-07-2020
End date: 31-12-2021
Total budget - Public funding: - 150 000,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

Epitranscriptomic modifications constitute specific marks in mRNA that regulate gene expression. Identification of
epitranscriptomic modifications requires next generation sequencing analyses and specific validation, processes that are cumbersome and time consuming. Furthermore, while some modifications are straightforward to identify, as they cause specific base changes (like RNA
editing), most are only detectable either through chemical means (requiring large quantities of material) or by immunoprecipitation
followed by sequencing. Of these techniques, immunoprecipitation requires far less material and can be used in any molecular
biology laboratory, but depends exquisitely on the quality of the monoclonal antibodies that recognize the modification - their
specificity, selectivity and sensitivity.
Most anti-modification antibodies are generated using traditional methods for the production of monoclonals to small
molecule haptens (e.g. conjugation to a large protein carrier and injection into animals together with an adjuvant). While these
methods can generate anti-hapten responses with some specificity they are generally not very selective. We have developed a novel
immunization platform that exquisitely focuses the antibody response to a hapten to generate high affinity monoclonals with a high
degree of specificity. We propose to employ this approach to generate anti-inosine antibodies (for the detection of editing in disease
contexts); anti-m6A antibodies (which would be benchmarked against the ones currently in use, validating our approach); and
antipseudo-uridine antibodies (a tool that is lacking in the field and for which traditional approaches have completely failed). The generation of specific and selective antibodies to these three modifications, will open the way toward a better understanding of their intricate molecular roles in biological proceGenerating monoclonal antibodies that selectively and specifically recognize epitranscriptomic modifications.

Status

CLOSED

Call topic

ERC-2020-POC

Update Date

27-04-2024
Images
No images available.
Geographical location(s)
Structured mapping
Unfold all
/
Fold all
Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
ERC-2020
ERC-2020-PoC