Project description
Innovative concept for neurodegenerative diseases
Genetically engineered bacteria have been developed as a living discovery platform for short cyclic peptides that rescue pathogenic protein misfolding and aggregation. These peptides hold promise for addressing human diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), potentially leading to new drug discoveries. The ERC-funded PoC4ProMis project aims to demonstrate in vivo proof-of-concept for potential ALS treatments by developing a method to deliver cyclic peptides to the central nervous system and testing these molecules in established ALS mouse models. Furthermore, the project will pursue further patent protection for the peptides with the goal of proposing promising new drugs and delivery formulations for neurodegenerative diseases of high medicinal and commercial value.
Objective
Within the ERC Consolidator Grant ProMiDis, my team and I have developed genetically engineered bacteria that function as a stand-alone, living discovery platform for short, drug-like cyclic peptides rescuing the misfolding and aggregation of proteins associated with human diseases (protein misfolding diseases, PMDs). By applying this technology, we have discovered hundreds of new molecules-putative drugs against notorious PMDs, such as Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We have filed patent applications for aspects of this technology and for the first set of bioactive molecules. In PoC4ProMis, we will demonstrate in vivo proof-of-concept for the most promising molecules targeting the devastating neurodegenerative disease ALS. To achieve this, we will first develop an optimized method for efficient delivery of cyclic peptides to the central nervous system (CNS) by utilizing a novel specialized CNS delivery vehicle. Then, we will evaluate the effectiveness of our lead molecules to reverse disease phenotypes in well-established ALS mouse models. Finally, we will explore opportunities to strengthen further our IP portfolio by patent-protecting our SOD1-targeting cyclic peptides with additional claims relating to method-of-use and mode of delivery. PoC4ProMis will demonstrate in vivo PoC and will provide a general approach for efficient CNS delivery of cyclic peptide drugs targeting additional neurodegenerative diseases of high priority for drug development.
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 neurobiology
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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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) ERC-2023-POC
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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.
26 500 PATRA
Greece
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
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.