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Content archived on 2024-06-18

Targeting Receptors Of Jointly Assembled Ligand-Drug Constructs

Objective

The TROJA proposal is an investigative bioengineering study of the exploitation of specific endocytic receptors for targeting small molecule drugs to specific cells in order to improve medical therapy. This is a new approach with scientific roots in the basic research on endocytic receptors and protein expression carried out in the laboratory of the applicant. The major line of the proposal concerns the construction of combinatory drugs for targeting the haptoglobin (Hp)-hemoglobin receptor CD163 (Kristiansen et al., Nature 409:198-201) expressed in the monocyte-macrophage system. The platform may apply to a broad spectrum of diseases such as inflammatory diseases, various infections and certain cancers which all have CD163-expressing macrophages or malignant derivatives as key cell type in the pathogenesis of the disease. Dependent of the above-mentioned diseases to be treated, the drugs are intended to have anti-inflammatory, microbiotic or cytostatic effects. Efficacy of the combinatory drug will be investigated in monocytes/macrophages, CD163-transfected cells and as well as in suitable animal models including transgenic animals. Another and minor line of the proposal concerns the construction of combinatory drugs for targeting a very recently discovered Hp-Hb receptor expressed in trypanosomes (Vanhollebeke et al., Science, in press) causing sleeping sickness. Both lines of this research proposal will take advantage of established recombinant protein expression methods and chemical coupling technology to construct jointly assembled ligand-drugs complexes. In terms of drug efficacy and toxicity, the aim is to design combinatory products that remain largely inactive in their receptor-binding form, but upon release in the cells or parasites the active small molecule components become active. The discovery of such a Trojan horse platform for cellular drug entry may have major implications for future drug development and for new applications of existent drugs.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

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.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

ERC-2008-AdG
See other projects for this call

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.

ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant

Host institution

AARHUS UNIVERSITET
EU contribution
€ 2 400 000,00
Address
NORDRE RINGGADE 1
8000 Aarhus C
Denmark

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Region
Danmark Midtjylland Østjylland
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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.

No data

Beneficiaries (1)

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