Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English en
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

wAll teichoic acids as immUnogenic and conseRved altErnative targets for therapies versUs S. aureus

Project description

Innovative targets against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections constitute a significant medical issue due to their resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Invasive S. aureus can cause infections with a range of clinical manifestations, including pneumonia, endocarditis and sepsis. They are difficult to treat and often require the combination of antibiotics. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the AUREUS project aims to train the next scientific workforce to combat MRSA infections. The project aims to develop immune-based therapies by exploring the biosynthesis and structure of S. aureus cell wall glycopolymers and understand how the human immune system responds to them. Project findings are expected to advance future drug discovery efforts to counteract infections caused by MRSA and related bacterial species.

Objective

The AUREUS doctoral network meets the increasing need of a highly qualified work force to counteract multidrug-resistant S. aureus infections by performing cutting-edge, inter-disciplinary research in the multifaceted field of chemical biology.
The proposed research program aims at training Doctoral Candidates (DCs) to acquire complementary skills to exploit and develop different and innovative strategies to i) unveil the biosynthesis and structure of unique S. aureus cell wall glycopolymers, the so-called WTA (wall teichoic acids), ii) gain greater insights into the molecular basis of the human immune responses to S. aureus WTA, iii) harness the acquired knowledge to rationally design and develop effective immune-based therapies against S. aureus and related bacterial species.
To this end, the AUREUS intersectoral program is based on a unique international team combining expertise in different fields including chemistry, (micro-)biology and immunology. In detail, 9 world academic leaders in the glycoscience and/or S. aureus research world and 4 companies (SMEs) with world-class expertise in glycoscience, cutting-edge diagnostics and therapeutic research programs will be involved in the AUREUS project. Each DC will have their own individual project, based on fundamental science and with practical applications, either in biotechnology or in biomedicine, as will be explored through secondments with our industrial partners.
The AUREUS network will provide 14 young scientists with broad, top-class scientific and professional competences and skills, thereby expanding the pipeline of future leaders for both industry and academia.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN - HORIZON TMA MSCA Doctoral Networks

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-DN-01

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI FEDERICO II
Net EU contribution
€ 518 875,20
Address
CORSO UMBERTO I, 40
80138 Napoli
Italy
Region
Sud Campania Napoli
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data

Participants (8)

Partners (9)