Project description DEENESFRITPL Searching for new treatments for Acinetobacter baumannii infection Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen associated with hospital infections including pneumonia, meningitis and bloodstream and wound infections. The recent increase in incidence coupled with a dramatic increase in cases associated with multidrug-resistant strains has attracted significant attention to this emerging deadly pathogen. The EU-funded AgainstResistance project proposes to find novel antimicrobial targets for A. baumannii using haem-related systems to be discovered by the researchers that help bacteria to utilise iron, contributing to pathogen survival. The research will employ bioinformatics as a tool to explore A. baumannii haem metabolism-related genes. The role of these genes will be evaluated using microbiology and biochemistry, and their contribution to infection will be tested in host–pathogen interaction assays. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective The World Health Organization recently added Acinetobacter baumannii at the top of the priority list of emerging and critical pathogens, against which the number of effective antibiotics is alarmingly low. I propose to find novel antimicrobial targets for A. baumannii by discovering haem related systems that contribute to its survival. Bioinformatics will be used as a powerful tool to explore A. baumannii haem metabolism-related genes. The role of these genes will be tested through microbiology and biochemistry approaches, and their contribution to virulence will be analysed in host-pathogen interaction assays. This multidisciplinary research programme will boost my scientific skills and act as a pipeline to launch my career as an independent researcher. Furthermore, this proposal has the added value of including a custom-made training programme on leadership, management, dissemination and outreach activities. Hence, “AgainstResistance” will be the ideal framework to enhance my competences, maturity and independence as a competitive researcher, and crucial to boost my career prospects as a future group leader in the field of antimicrobial resistance, which is one of the critical current and future health challenges. The proposal will make a real difference in European excellence and competitiveness by materialising its leadership and expertise in multidrug resistance of human pathogens. Fields of science medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug resistancemultidrug resistancemedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug resistanceantibiotic resistance Programme(s) H2020-EU.4. - SPREADING EXCELLENCE AND WIDENING PARTICIPATION Main Programme Topic(s) WF-02-2019 - Widening Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-WF-2018-2020 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-WF-02-2019 Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator UNIVERSIDADE NOVA DE LISBOA Net EU contribution € 147 815,04 Address Campus de campolide 1099 085 Lisboa Portugal See on map Region Continente Área Metropolitana de Lisboa Área Metropolitana de Lisboa Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
