Project description
RNA-binding proteins as the modulators of cytotoxic T lymphocyte tumour-fighting efficacy
Cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes (CTLs) recognise tumour-specific antigens and kill malignant cells. However, CTLs often fail to limit cancer growth as the result of their functionality suppression from the tumour microenvironment. Understanding molecular circuits controlling CTL activation will open the possibility to enhance CTL tumour-fighting capacity and the efficacy of immunotherapies. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the EnhancemenT project will study the post transcriptional regulation of metabolism to modulate CTL activation. The project will focus on the RNA-binding proteins as the fundamental modulators of post-transcriptional regulation of metabolism, creating a platform for the identification of new methods to stimulate the metabolism and functionality of tumour-infiltrating CTLs.
Objective
Cytotoxic CD8+ T-lymphocytes (CTLs) recognize and kill infected and malignant cells. Although CTLs recognize tumour-specific antigens, they often fail to limit cancer growth, as the cancer micro-environment rapidly suppresses their functionality. Therefore, there is the need to unveil new molecular circuits controlling CTL activation, the process through which T-cells proliferate and differentiate into an antigen-specific subpopulation with effector functions. In this way it will be possible to enhance CTL tumour-fighting capacity and improve the efficacy of immunotherapies, especially against solid cancers. My project will focus on how post-transcriptional regulation of metabolism modulates CTL activation. Post-transcriptional responses are fast and important for adaptation to rapidly changing environments. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are fundamental modulators of post-transcriptional regulation of many cellular processes, but less is known about how they regulate metabolism. By combining multi-omics approaches (i.e. proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and in-vivo experiments) I will investigate how metabolic pathways in CTLs are modulated by specific RBPs. I will study how these RBPs regulate the stability and the translation of mRNAs encoding metabolic enzymes. Finally, I will control the expression of these RBPs in CAR-T cells (engineered T-lymphocytes used in cancer immunotherapies) to regulate metabolic pathways and enhance the in-vivo solid tumour-fighting capacity of these cells. Thus, my research will lay the groundwork for the identification of new methods to stimulate metabolism of tumour-infiltrating CTLs to enhance their functionality. My expertise in RNA-biology will complement the new skills I will learn from my host lab and collaborators, combining diverse disciplines to investigate fundamental immunological questions and apply my findings to in-vivo cancer immunotherapy.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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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)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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-2020
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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.
CB22 3AT Cambridge
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.