Objective A key feature of the immune response is its specificity and macrophages must be able to discriminate precisely between an infectious stimulus and a non-infectious one and tune their response in accordance with the molecular context in which the target particle is recognized. In recent years, scientists have proposed the concept of the phagocytic synapse, to stress the fact that a particle does not engage only one receptor on the cell surface; instead, an array of receptors interacts with a specific pathogen, either sequentially or simultaneously. Indeed, the tightly controlled and specific responses of macrophages require the establishing of checkpoints for signalling and the phagocytic synapse represent an exquisite site for cross-talk among several signalling pathways. Although we can describe detailed signalling pathways for most of the single receptors acting at the phagocytic synapse, we still do not know how these pathways are integrated during the various phases of macrophage responses. An integrated view of phagocytic synapse signalling would allow us to understand the contribution of each ligand-receptor pair to macrophage dysfunctions in pathology and to design novel immunotherapeutic strategies.The aim of STePS is to provide a deeper understanding of the molecular interactions leading to the orchestration of phagocytic synapses for phagocytosis and activation, two events crucial for immune responses to pathogens as well as for inflammation. In particular, we will focus on three fundamental aspects that bring together the fields of immunology and cell biology: establishment of dynamic platforms for recognition and signalling at the plasma membrane; vesicle trafficking to the plasma membrane; signalling compartmentalization for specific cell functions. Importantly, these mechanisms will be analyzed in the context of physiological and pathological conditions, thus providing answers to both basic and translational biomedical research questions. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencescell biologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepathology 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-AG-LS6 - ERC Advanced Grant - Immunity and infection Call for proposal ERC-2012-ADG_20120314 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Host institution UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA EU contribution € 2 006 621,66 Address VIA 8 FEBBRAIO 2 35122 Padova Italy See on map Region Nord-Est Veneto Padova Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Antonella Viola (Prof.) Administrative Contact Luisa Caldon (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA Italy EU contribution € 2 006 621,66 Address VIA 8 FEBBRAIO 2 35122 Padova See on map Region Nord-Est Veneto Padova Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Antonella Viola (Prof.) Administrative Contact Luisa Caldon (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data HUMANITAS MIRASOLE SPA Participation ended Italy EU contribution € 343 720,34 Address VIA MANZONI 56 20100 Rozzano (Mi) See on map Region Nord-Ovest Lombardia Milano Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Danilo Petroni (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
