Project description
Modulating gut microbiota plasticity to boost immunotherapy
The gut microbiota is a dynamic community of microorganisms that changes with diet, disease and therapy. Research shows gut microbiota influences not only immune system development and responsiveness but also cancer immunotherapy outcomes. Approximately 40 % of melanoma patients fail to respond to immunotherapy, underscoring the need for predictive biomarkers and improved strategies. To address this, the ERC-funded SYNERGIZE project aims to exploit bacterial functional changes caused by genomic DNA inversions known to regulate gene expression. Researchers will develop a stool test for bacteria identification and engineer bacteria to complement immunotherapy approaches. The SYNERGIZE approach will be confirmed in patient samples and melanoma mouse models for immune activation, tumour regression, and survival.
Objective
Cancer immunotherapy has transformed oncology, offering new hope to patients with advanced cancers such as melanoma. However, approximately 40% of melanoma patients do not respond to current immunotherapies, highlighting the urgent need for predictive biomarkers and therapies that can increase the response and convert “non-responder” patients into “responders”. Emerging evidence indicates that the functionality of the gut microbiota plays a critical role in modulating immune responses. A common mechanism that controls bacterial functionalities is genomic DNA inversions, regulating gene expression in a phase-variable manner. This project aims to harness such gut bacterial functional plasticity to enhance immunotherapy outcomes in melanoma patients applying a dual approach: (1) developing a non-invasive quantitative PCR-based diagnostic tool to identify potential responders; and (2) engineering gut bacteria in their immune-activating phase to activate the immune system and synergize with immunotherapy. The diagnostic tool will be validated on DNA from human stool samples, assessing its sensitivity, specificity, and predictive accuracy. The genetically engineered bacteria will be tested in melanoma mouse models, evaluating their impact on tumor regression, immune activation, and survival rates. The project also includes comprehensive market, IP, and business strategy analyses to ensure successful commercialization. If successful, this innovation will provide clinicians with a reliable method for patient stratification and offer a novel therapeutic approach to enhance immunotherapy responses, improving outcomes for patients who currently have limited treatment options.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
32000 Haifa
Israel
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.