Amyloid biology of bioinspired peptides - from basic research to preclinical development (A03)

• Subject Area: Biochemistry ; Virology
• Term: since 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 316249678

Examination of semen-derived peptides libraries showed that proteolytic fragments of seminal proteins form amyloid fibrils with proviral and antibacterial activity. We clarified the mechanism underlying viral infectivity enhancement and developed optimized fibrils to boost retroviral gene transfer. Novel fibril-forming peptides with antimicrobial activity as well as peptidic inhibitors of pathogenic amyloids were identified. The project will determine the structure and function of fibrils in molecular detail and clarify the mechanisms underlying inhibition of amyloid formation. The ultimate goals are to exploit amyloid-related peptides for the treatment of microbial infections and prevention of pathogenic amyloid formation. In addition, the project develops optimized fibrils to promote retroviral gene delivery in CAR T cell therapy against specific types of cancer.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1279: Exploiting the Human Peptidome for Novel Antimicrobial and Anticancer Agents
• Applicant Institution: Universität Ulm
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Marcus Fändrich; Professor Dr. Jan Münch; Professor Dr. Paul Walther, until 6/2021