Objective Antibodies are a critical component of immune defence but they provide purely extracellular protection – once inside a cell, a pathogen is safe. This is the view of humoral immunity that has existed for over 100 years. However, recent work in my lab has led to the discovery of a missing system of antibody-mediated immunity that takes place inside infected cells. I have identified a novel cytosolic antibody receptor (TRIM21) that binds to antibody-coated viruses after cellular infection and targets them for degradation in the proteasome. Importantly, TRIM21-mediated immunity is capable of clearing a cell of virus within hours of infection. This discovery represents a paradigm shift in how we think about viral immunity and offers the potential for new types of antiviral drugs.This grant application outlines key experiments to determine how intracellular antibody immunity works, what it works against and how we can augment or replicate it in the treatment of disease. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologyvirologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsantivirals Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-LS6 - ERC Starting Grant - Immunity and infection Call for proposal ERC-2011-StG_20101109 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Host institution MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL EU contribution € 1 124 340,00 Address 20 Park Crescent W1B 1AL LONDON United Kingdom See on map Activity type Public bodies (excluding Research Organisations and Secondary or Higher Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Elizabeth Cutler (Ms.) Principal investigator Leo James (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL United Kingdom EU contribution € 1 124 340,00 Address 20 Park Crescent W1B 1AL LONDON See on map Activity type Public bodies (excluding Research Organisations and Secondary or Higher Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Elizabeth Cutler (Ms.) Principal investigator Leo James (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data