Objective
"Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder affecting over 6 million individuals worldwide, with its prevalence projected to double by 2040. Early detection of PD represents a critical unmet clinical need, as current diagnostics are limited to detecting motor symptoms after extensive neuronal damage has already occurred. My ERC Consolidator Grant ""ExpoBiome"" has uncovered specific microbiome-derived molecules as potential biomarkers linked to PD pathology. These proteins, produced by the gut microbiome, have been found to trigger pathological aggregation of human proteins such as α-synuclein, the molecular hallmark of PD.
This ERC Proof of Concept project aims to establish the utility of these microbiome-derived molecules as predictive biomarkers for prodromal and early-stage PD. I will quantify these proteins in both faecal and blood samples from the ExpoBiome cohort and from an independent cohort of newly diagnosed, unmedicated PD patients, idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (a prodromal stage of PD) patients, and healthy controls. Through advanced analytical and bioinformatic analyses, I will establish the diagnostic and prognostic relevance of these biomarkers, addressing technical feasibility and reproducibility.
The project will also assess the commercial potential of the biomarkers through conducting a market analysis, assay development and go-to-market strategy.
The establishment of a new biomarker signature for PD could enable earlier diagnosis, facilitating timely intervention and stratification of patients for emerging neuroprotective therapies. It will accelerate research into PD pathogenesis and therapeutic development, bridging the gap between microbiome science and neurodegenerative disease research. The outcomes of this project will lay the foundation for future clinical translation, with significant implications for improving patient outcomes and reducing PD’s societal burden."
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
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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-POC
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
4365 ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE
Luxembourg
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.