Project description
Editing RNA to rethink liver disease therapy
Current treatments for liver disease are often reactive and do not address the molecular causes of the condition. The ERC-funded HepaModulatoR project aims to develop a more proactive model through RNA base editing. This allows for precise protein modification on an as-needed basis, avoiding the risks associated with permanent DNA changes. The project uses computational modelling and high-throughput screening to identify exactly where disease signals go wrong. By redirecting ADAR enzymes via RNA-based drugs, the team can ‘correct’ protein behaviour to stop inflammation or cancer progression in its tracks. This research marks a transition toward a new class of precision therapies.
Objective
RNA base editing, catalyzed by ADAR enzymes, is a natural process that diversifies protein function by modifying mRNA. Redirecting ADAR activity with RNA-based drugs holds significant promise for correcting genetic mutations and uniquely enables precise modulation of protein function. However, major challenges remain to fully unlock this potential.
In this collaborative effort, we present a target discovery platform and demonstrate in vivo proof-of-concept (PoC) that targeted RNA base editing can mitigate chronic liver disease. Our team combines its groundbreaking insights and tools to predict functional editing computationally (PI Levanon), efficiently screen for effective edits (PI Stafforst), and establish functional PoC in animal models of liver disease (PI Heikenwälder).
Chronic liver disease stems from disturbances in the liver microenvironment caused by chronic viral infections, alcohol intake, sedentary life-style/high-calorie diets or autoimmunity, all disrupt hepatocyte metabolism and regulatory signalling. This ultimately leads to liver inflammation, fibrosis, and liver cancer. We suggest that targeted RNA base editing is well-suited to counteract liver disease by modulating protein function and upregulating hepatoprotective proteins.
To maximize the likelihood of success, our team addresses three Focus Areas, each representing a distinct stage of liver disease: In Focus Area 1, we aim to modulate liver metabolism (promoting catabolism) at an early disease stage. In Focus Area 2, we seek to reduce chronic inflammatory signalling at the mid-stage. Finally, Focus Area 3 focuses on generating highly immunogenic neoantigens in cancerous liver tissue to stimulate immune therapies at advanced stages.
Overall, this project will push far beyond the current state-of-the-art in this field, significantly advancing this innovative therapeutic modality. We aim to make a substantial impact on Europe’s society, healthcare systems, and pharmaceutical industry.
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.
- medical and health sciences health sciences nutrition
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry alcohols
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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
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-SYG - HORIZON ERC Synergy 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-SyG
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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.
72074 Tuebingen
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.