Objective New vaccine modalities need to be developed that can activate more potently the immune system, in this regard, adjuvants augment adaptive immune responses and can improve vaccine performance. Aluminium salt (alum) is the most commonly used adjuvant for human vaccination. However, it drives primarily TH2-effector responses and is not effective for vaccines that target mucosal surfaces. Thus, safe and potent adjuvants need to be developed that can increase and direct vaccine-specific immunity. Recent advances in our understanding of innate immune responses are providing opportunities to design better adjuvants. The innate immune system senses microbes through pattern-recognition receptors (PPRs), which include the Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and intracellular NOD-like receptors (NLRs) and C-type lectin-like (CTLs) receptors that are expressed by immune cells. Activation of these receptors leads to the production of cytokines that provide early defences during infection. Cytokines also regulate adaptive immunity by controlling the quantity and quality of B and T cell activation, which in turn results in protective immune responses to pathogens. Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) such as lipopolysaccharides, lipopeptides, and peptidoglycan fragments can activate PPRs and are attractive compounds for the development of new adjuvant. Although during microbial infection many different PRRs are activated, almost all adjuvants that are being developed rely on the stimulation of a single PRR. In this project, we propose that compound adjuvants derived by the covalent linking of two PAMPs (fusion PAMPs), for example, TLR2 and NOD agonists, will ensure that immune cells are being exposed to both, resulting in efficient cross talk of signal transduction pathways and in synergistic immune activation. If so, chimeric immune modulators (fusion PAMPs) can be employed at lower adjuvant concentrations, thereby minimizing unwanted side effects. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencescell biologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologynatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrypost-transition metalsmedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsvaccinesnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencepattern recognition Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT Net EU contribution € 177 598,80 Address HEIDELBERGLAAN 8 3584 CS Utrecht Netherlands See on map Region West-Nederland Utrecht Utrecht Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 177 598,80