Objective
Whipworms (Trichuris trichuira) are soil-transmitted helminths that infect about 700 million people in the tropics
and sub-tropics and cause the human disease, trichuriasis. Whipworms live preferentially in the cecum of their
hosts where they tunnel through epithelial cells and cause inflammation potentially resulting in colitis. Despite
extensive research, the role of whipworm interactions with epithelial and immune cells in triggering parasite
expulsion remains unclear, hindering the development of anti-parasite therapies. The ultimate goal of my research
proposal is to investigate and understand this interaction in detail. To achieve this, I will use T. muris, a mouse
model of T. trichuira infection in humans. This research proposal has three key aims. First, to identify new parasite
and host genes that could interplay and modulate immunological outcomes. Second, to characterize the role of host
genes in whipworm infection and immunity. Here, novel and known candidate mutations conferring susceptibility
to colitis identified through the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute - Mouse Genetics Project will be targeted. Thus, I
will challenge mutant mouse lines with T. muris and evaluate the influence of these mutations on anti-parasite
immunity and expulsion. Finally, upon identification of key genes regulating the immune response to whipworms, I
will explore the mechanism of action of selected genes and their effect on the parasite. For this, I will take
advantage of the vast range of ‘omic’ technologies and facilities available at the WTSI. This project will generate
novel fundamental data on host-whipworms interactions and also support future efforts to control these parasites by
the identification of potential new therapeutic targets. Moreover, resulting knowledge of the parasiteimmunological
interplay could be exploited to understand other intestinal inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative
colitis that have many similarities with trichuriasis.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- medical and health sciences health sciences tropical medicine
- medical and health sciences health sciences inflammatory diseases
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine gastroenterology inflammatory bowel disease
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs vaccines
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2014
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
CB10 1SA SAFFRON WALDEN
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.