Project description
Insight into the evolution of antiviral immunity
Both eukaryotes and prokaryotes face the threat of viral infection and have therefore evolved various defence mechanisms. Accumulating evidence suggests that certain components of the innate immune system in higher eukaryotes have evolved from bacterial components. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ECoToL project focuses on Eleos, a newly identified anti-viral system in prokaryotes, which shares similarities with eukaryotic GTPase immunity-associated proteins. By utilising large genomic datasets and a suite of experimental techniques, researchers aim to shed light into the evolution and function of Eleos and enhance our understanding of immune defence systems. Project findings can pave the way for novel treatments against viral infections and for enhancing global health.
Objective
Sensing viral infections and mounting a response is crucial for all domains of life. Many immune mechanisms in higher eukaryotes were thought to be evolutionary innovations, but recent research reveals that some components of the innate immune system have evolved from bacterial genes. Eleos, a novel anti-viral system in prokaryotes, shares similarities with eukaryotic GIMAPs (GTPase immunity-associated proteins), yet their evolutionary history and anti-viral mechanisms remain unknown.
ECoToL's objectives are threefold:
1. Identify Eleos systems, study their architecture, and determine their distribution in bacteria.
2. Explore the molecular mechanism by which bacterial Eleos confers resistance against phages.
3. Investigate when and how Eleos was acquired in eukaryotes, assess its distribution, and examine the conservation of the mechanism in eukaryotes.
We will analyze large genome datasets to trace Eleos system evolution across different life domains. Additionally, we will identify phages Eleos defends against and the mechanisms by which phages evade this defense. Biochemical, biophysical, and structural biology methods will illuminate the molecular mechanisms in bacterial Eleos. Further genomic analysis and experimental methods will answer whether this mechanism is conserved in higher eukaryotes.
ECoToL is a multidisciplinary project pioneering comparative immunology between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This innovative concept aims to enhance our understanding of immune systems, which is critical for staying ahead of viral threats, improving viral infection treatments, reducing viral resistance, and enhancing global health security.
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 bacteriology
- humanities history and archaeology history
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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)
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.
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.
75724 Paris
France
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.