Objective
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) causes tuberculosis a leading infectious killer worldwide. Mtb primarily infects macrophages, leading to the death of some of these cells via distinct regulated cell death (RCD) mechanisms. While apoptosis facilitates Mtb elimination, necrotic cell deaths, like pyroptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis may enhance bacterial replication and spread. Mtb effectors, including the type VII secretion system ESX-1 and the cell wall lipid PDIM, induce host membrane damage, inducing necrotic cell death. Notably, the host lab has shown that inhibiting all RCD pathways does not prevent Mtb-induced cell lysis. However, depleting Ninjurin-1 (Ninj1), a membrane protein vital for plasma membrane (PM) rupture during various RCD pathways, mitigates Mtb-induced necrosis. Ninj1 oligomerization appears to occur after initial PM integrity disruption, yet the precise mechanisms governing Ninj1 activation and its role in Mtb-induced cell lysis remain unclear. I hypothesize that Ninj1 plays a crucial role in Mtb-induced lysis and that Mtb exploits this process through effector-mediated PM permeabilization. To investigate how Ninj1 oligomerization influences cell fate and the inflammatory response, I will leverage my expertise in super-resolution microscopy of pore-forming proteins alongside the host lab’s skills in Mtb infection biology. First, I will identify PM chemical and physical changes during RCD that correlate with Ninj1 oligomerization to elucidate the activation mechanism. Next, I will analyze Ninj1 dynamics and the functional impact of its macromolecular structures using DNA-PAINT super-resolution microscopy and long-term single-molecule tracking. Finally, I will determine whether Mtb activates Ninj1 via effector-induced PM damage and quantify the impact of this activation on the inflammatory response. This project aims to provide groundbreaking insights into cellular responses to Mtb and molecular inflammation research.
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 physical sciences optics microscopy super resolution microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine pneumology tuberculosis
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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-2024-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.
7491 TRONDHEIM
Norway
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.