Objective
Most T cell immunology knowledge is centered on T cell receptor (TCR) recognition of peptides presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. MHC class I-like CD1 proteins present lipid antigens to T cells, but it is becoming increasingly clear that the rules of lipid engagement show fundamental divergence from those of peptide recognition. As CD1 proteins are relatively monomorphic, solving the fundamental biology of lipid recognition opens the potential for wide therapeutic benefit.
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection is associated with multiple autoimmune sequelae, yet the disease mechanisms are largely unexplained. Recent increases in GAS infection globally have re- emphasized the major unmet medical need, and driven focus on capitalizing on the therapeutic window prior to the onset of post-streptococcal autoimmunity. I hypothesize that lipid antigens derived during GAS infection break immune tolerance through molecular mimicry of self-lipids and contribute to disease.
This proposal harnesses multiple recent technological advances to investigate both CD1c mechanisms and translational implications of lipid-mediated reactivity in humans. I will examine CD1c tissue immunology pathways using human tonsils, a common GAS infection site. GAS- mediated CD1c-relevant cellular and molecular mechanisms will be studied through T cell and lipid antigen discovery and will develop therapeutic targeting approaches. Identified mechanisms will be further studied in patients with post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN), informing disease relevant host-pathogen interactions.
Access to patient samples, alongside established experimental platforms and a strong collaboration network places me well to address fundamental immunological mechanisms and facilitate preventive strategies for post-streptococcal disease, as well as enabling the wider field to reach the point of industry engagement to drive patient benefit.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
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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 - 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-2025-STG
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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.
OX1 2JD Oxford
United Kingdom
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.