Project description
Heart repair with molecular imaging
After a heart attack, the heart undergoes a complex repair process involving inflammation and fibroblast activation, which can either help or hinder recovery. However, current treatments have not been able to target these processes effectively. The ERC-funded MIGRATe project is tackling this challenge by using non-invasive molecular imaging to monitor these cellular responses in the heart and connected organs. By combining cutting-edge imaging with molecular biology, MIGRATe will identify key biomarkers and refine therapy timing, promoting better recovery and preventing heart failure. The project will also explore how cardiac therapies impact distant organs, offering a comprehensive approach to healing that could transform treatment strategies for heart attack patients.
Objective
Myocardial infarction triggers a complex interplay between inflammation and fibroblast activation, which contributes to success or failure of adequate repair. Targeted therapeutic approaches to modulate these processes have not yet been implemented clinically. The dynamic and multicellular nature of the inflammatory and fibrotic repair process in the heart is thought to be variable among individuals. Additionally, cardiac injury and treatment affect distant organs through systems-based interaction.
In MIGRATe, I will explore non-invasive molecular imaging approaches to interrogate inflammatory cell populations and fibroblast activation in the heart and networking organs, for precise guidance of targeted therapeutic interventions. Imaging will delineate optimal timing and/or targeting of treatment to support endogenous healing and prevent heart failure progression. MIGRATe will also bring together imaging methods and molecular biology to decode the tissue microenvironment and identify novel biomarkers amenable to imaging and treatment. A combination of in vivo molecular imaging, single cell sorting, and transcriptome data from regions with elevated and/or suppressed imaging signal will be exploited to identify disproportionate cell subpopulations that contribute to the prognostic signal and may be targeted by therapy. Whole body imaging will simultaneously reveal the impact of cardiac cell directed therapy on the heart, alongside distant organ function, providing new insights into inter-organ communication and supporting a wholistic approach towards repair. Experimental work in mouse models will be complemented by a proof-of-concept clinical study, establishing a translational environment. Taken together, MIGRATe is designed to optimize new imaging-guided, molecular-targeted treatment strategies to improve cardiac outcome after acute myocardial infarction with corresponding benefit for reciprocal organ systems.
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 - HORIZON ERC 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-2024-COG
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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.
30625 Hannover
Germany
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.