Project description
Uncovering epithelial memory in fungal immunity
Candida albicans, a fungus that typically resides in the mouth, can cause infections when the immune system’s balance is disrupted. Fine-tuned regulation helps control its transition from a commensal to a pathogen. While innate immune cells develop long-term responses to infections, the role of oral epithelial cells (OECs) in regulating fungal growth is not fully understood. OECs are crucial for immune responses in the mouth, where immune cells are limited. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the EPIMemory project aims to uncover how OEC memory controls C. albicans infections and microbial balance. By analysing gene expression and metabolic profiles, the project seeks to identify therapeutic targets to enhance mucosal immunity and improve treatments.
Objective
In this research project I seek to discover the mechanisms underlying oral epithelial cell (OEC) memory and its importance to control Candida albicans infections and commensalism. C. albicans is part of the healthy microbiota, but it is also the most clinically relevant fungus. Fine tuning of mucosal immunity enables homeostasis and regulates commensal-to-pathogen transition of C. albicans. Innate immune cells, such as macrophages, can develop long-term responses during systemic infections, enabling them to clear invading microbes more efficiently. This so-called process of “innate immune memory” can be targeted in order to improve patient outcomes. However, at the oral mucosa, where immune cells are more scarce, OECs are essential for controlling fungal growth and orchestrating complex immune responses. Whilst OEC-C. albicans interactions have been well analysed during acute infections, no study up to date has addressed epithelial memory or its impact on fighting fungal infections and regulating Candida commensalism.
The aim of this project is to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving epithelial memory in response to C. albicans. In preliminary in vitro studies, I have shown that epithelial memory protects OECs from C. albicans and therefore, I hypothesised that this phenomenon control fungal growth during pathogenesis and homeostasis. I will use advanced models of host-microbe interactions to confirm the importance of epithelial memory for clearing infections and whether it promotes fungal commensalism by regulating microbial growth. I will decipher the underlying molecular mechanisms by analysing gene expression and metabolic profiles of memory cells, and identify potential targets that promote homeostasis at the oral mucosa.
This project will yield novel insights into mucosal fungal immunology, essential knowledge to further comprehend how out body interacts with the microbiota and to identify targets to advance in the treatment of candidiasis.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology mycology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
- natural sciences biological sciences biological behavioural sciences ethology biological interactions
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
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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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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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.
48160 DERIO VIZCAYA
Spain
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.