Targeted Academy Project funding from the Research Council for Biosciences and Environment

The Research Council for Biosciences and Environment has decided to target Academy Project funding at research on integral membrane proteins (IMPs). Researching IMPs is highly challenging. Consequently, our knowledge of the function of IMPs is clearly poorer than in the case of soluble proteins. However, membrane proteins are vital for cell function and are commonly used as endpoints in experiments for pharmaceutical development. By launching this targeted call, the Research Council for Biosciences and Environment aims to promote research on molecular-level mechanisms of cell membranes. Another aim is to increase overall research knowledge of membrane biology.

A key criterion in the review of applications is that the research targets a membrane protein that is as natural and whole as possible and whose detailed structure and/or molecular function is studied by mainly using experimental methods. Method development relating to the production, purification, processing and investigation of membrane proteins may form part of the research plan. However, research on soluble domains that have been excised from membrane proteins does not fall within the scope of this call. Nor does the call cover research purely on cell biology, bioimaging or theoretical modelling of membrane protein structure and function.

The Research Council is prepared to fund a maximum of five projects.

More information:

Senior Science Adviser Tuula Aarnio
tel. +358 29 533 5146 
firstname.lastname@aka.fi