Project description
Targeting ion channels for breast cancer therapy
Voltage-gated ion channels are membrane proteins that open in response to changes in electrical signals across the cell membrane, permitting the selective passage of ions. Voltage-gated potassium channels regulate the movement of potassium ions, maintaining ion equilibrium and contributing to the electrical activity of neurons and muscle cells. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the hEag1DrugDis project focuses on the hEag1 channel that is typically restricted to the brain but becomes abnormally activated in several cancers, including breast cancer. The aim is to identify peptide compounds from animal venoms that target hEag1. The project will unveil the role of hEag1 in tumour progression and guide the development of targeted therapies.
Objective
The human ether à go-go 1 (hEag1) ion channel, also known as Kv10.1 is a voltage-gated potassium channel that is highly expressed in the brain but remains largely absent in other tissues under healthy conditions. However, during cancer development, hEag1 is significantly upregulated in various tumours, making it a potential biomarker and therapeutic target. Its role in cancer, particularly in breast cancer, is still not well understood, which makes exploring hEag1 a critical focus of my research.
In this project, I aim to discover and develop the first series of selective hEag1 ligands that can be used as pharmacological probes and therapeutic leads to investigate the channel's function in breast cancer. Building on preliminary data, I will utilize the rich pharmacological diversity found in animal venoms to identify novel peptide ligands that target hEag1. Through structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies and advanced medicinal chemistry, I plan to enhance the potency and selectivity of both newly discovered and existing ligands. These optimized compounds will enable me to explore the functional role of hEag1 in breast cancer progression and assess its therapeutic potential.
By integrating peptide chemistry, pharmacology, and preclinical methodologies, this research will pave the way for the creation of highly specific hEag1-targeting probes and drugs. The ultimate goal is to deepen our understanding of hEag1's role in breast cancer and unlock new avenues for targeted cancer therapy, especially for aggressive forms like triple-negative breast cancer.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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 chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkali metals
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy
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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)
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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
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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
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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1010 WIEN
Austria
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