Life
01.
Transmembrane Signal Transduction
As a biological process, life depends on the ability of cells to sense their environments and then respond in appropriate ways. This process is accomplished by transmembrane signal transduction, which is present in every species and governs every aspect of how an organism functions.
Health
02.
Molecular, cellular and physiological level
There is a huge drive to understand how transmembrane signal transduction networks function on the molecular, cellular and physiological level so that drugs can be designed to modulate different aspects of the signal transduction cascade in highly specific ways.
Challenge
03.
Signal transduction as a whole is not fully understood
Despite significant progress in understanding the individual components, signal transduction as a whole is not fully understood. Fundamental questions remain regarding how different signalling pathways are activated and modulated in precise and reproducible ways. Filling this gap in knowledge is absolutely necessary to advance the next generation of drugs that will achieve therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects.
Focus
04.
5 Groups
A prime example of this research challenge is the large family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are the target of more than a third of all marketed drugs. The COST Action ERNEST will unite scientists from different disciplines spanning the molecular, cellular, physiological, and clinical perspectives, to advance knowledge and/or application of:
- WG1
Protein dynamics and the macromolecular interactions in signaling pathways - WG2
The biological roles and physiological contexts of signal transduction - WG3
The design and optimization of molecular modulators of signal transduction - WG4
Advanced methods and technologies in signal transduction research - WG5
Web-based resources and computational modelling of signal transduction
Innovation and Benefit
05.
Comprehensive understanding of signal transduction
This network of diverse investigators will be uniquely able to synergistically develop an unprecedented comprehensive understanding of signal transduction that will advance drug design efforts in Europe, for the benefit of societies and human health worldwide.