Project description
Immune proteins in the fight against antimicrobial resistance
Granzymes are enzymes that immune cells such as cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells release to eliminate infected or malignant cells. Growing evidence indicates that these molecules can also directly kill bacteria, offering a new avenue in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. The EU-funded MicroGRANZ project will study how granzymes A, B, and M could be used to target bacterial infections resistant to antimicrobials and assist in immune responses. Researchers will also evaluate their co-administration with other molecules to increase cell uptake. Ultimately, the goal is to contribute to the development of novel immunotherapies, potentially addressing one of the most pressing global health challenges of our time.
Objective
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health threat, causing over 4.3 million infections annually in OECD countries, with 1.7 million in the EU/EEA. AMR leads to higher mortality, while the economic impact is severe, with increased healthcare costs due to prolonged hospital stays and the need for more expensive treatments, affecting both productivity and societal well-being.
MicroGRANZ seeks to explore the antibacterial potential of granzyme proteins—Granzyme A, Granzyme B, and Granzyme M—as novel therapeutic agents to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Granzymes, produced by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, assist immune cells in pathogen clearance, but also kill extracellular bacteria directly. Granzymes offer great potential as an alternative to antibiotics; however, their mode of action is not well understood.
In MicroGRANZ I will employ interdisciplinary approaches including live-cell microscopy and robotic liquid handling, where thousands of bacteria together with host cells can be monitored over time. This will provide a new understanding of granzyme’s specificity for different bacteria, and in combination with immune cells for cell-assisted killing. I will also improve their effectives by combining different granzymes together, also with other host molecules like Granulysin and Perforin, which enable them to get inside cells. Finally, I will use nanomaterials for enhanced and targeted delivery and controlled release into cells.
By investigating how granzyme proteins can be used to tackle resistant bacteria, MicroGRANZ aims to develop innovative immunotherapies that address the global challenge of AMR. The outcomes could pave the way for new treatments that strengthen the innate immune response, aligning with international public health priorities and contributing to improved patient outcomes. Ultimately, MicroGRANZ will also make a step change to my career in an interdisciplinary environment of IPPT PAN.
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 microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs antibiotics
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology immunotherapy
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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.4.1 - Widening participation and spreading excellence
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-WIDERA-2024-TALENTS-02
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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.
02-106 WARSZAWA
Poland
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.