Objective
"In vertebrates, innate and adaptive immunity together protect against infections and ensure tissue homeostasis. However, the impact of the astounding phenotypic diversity of the about 60,000 known vertebrate species on immune system function is largely unknown. To explore the evolutionary plasticity of vertebrate immune systems, we propose to study the unique immune systems of deep-sea anglerfishes (Ceratioidei). They exhibit distinctive reproductive habits, which involve either temporary or permanent physical pair formation that, in some species, results in the connection of the male and female circulatory systems, a form of naturally occurring anatomical joining (parabiosis), which otherwise is known only from rare instances of genetically identical conjoined twins. It is associated with drastic immunogenetic changes, culminating in the pseudogenization of recombination activating genes in some species, providing a unique opportunity to reconstruct the conversion of a canonical vertebrate immune system to a ""post-adaptive"" state lacking somatic diversification of antigen receptor genes. Comparative genomic, transcriptomic, histological, and mechanistic studies will illuminate the features of unusual vertebrate immune systems that enable tissue fusion between genetically distinct individuals without eliciting a destructive immune response, and that at the same time provide durable and efficient immune defence. We envision that our studies will contribute to the understanding of vertebrate immune plasticity, the balance between adaptive and innate functions, and the immunological adaptations associated with other forms tissue chimaerism, i. e., the maternal and foetal tissue apposition in pregnancy. Moreover, we expect to provide an evolutionarily informed context to interpret the acute changes associated with inborn and acquired immunodeficiency, and those caused by therapeutic immune interventions aimed at the modulation of mal-adapted immune responses."
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 basic medicine immunology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine obstetrics
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
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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-ADG
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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.
80539 MUNCHEN
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.