Project description
Peptides for targeted treatment of cancer and infection
In antimicrobial resistance and cancer the ability of cell membranes to resist drug penetration contributes to treatment failure. Antimicrobial peptides show potent activity against resistant bacteria and cancer cells but lack the selectivity needed for safe clinical use. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Link-IT project will work on a novel strategy that links antimicrobial peptides to targeting sugar molecules through tunable chemical linkers. This approach will guide peptides specifically to cancer or infected cells while sparing healthy tissue. Researchers will combine computational modelling, chemical synthesis and biological testing to establish design rules for selective antimicrobial peptide conjugates. The generated versatile platform will pave the way for next-generation targeted therapeutics against both infection and cancer.
Objective
Antimicrobial resistance and cancer are two of the most urgent health challenges. In both cases, the impermeability and adaptability of cellular membranes contribute to poor drug uptake and favour drug resistance. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are molecules that can efficiently disrupt these resistant membranes, but their lack of specificity often causes toxicity to healthy host cells, limiting their clinical application. This project, Link-IT, will develop a new molecular strategy in which AMPs are connected to targeting glycans through tuneable linkers. The systematic study of linkers connecting highly selective glycans and AMPs to enhance performance has not been investigated previously. This design aims to preserve the intrinsic membrane activity of AMPs while introducing receptor-guided specificity, thereby improving potency and selectivity. This project integrates three complementary work packages: (i) computational modelling to select AMP–linker–glycan constructs based on their stability and interactions with target receptors; (ii) chemical synthesis to generate selected candidates using peptide, glycan and linker chemistry; and (iii) biological testing in bacterial and cancer cell models to evaluate membrane disruption, receptor-mediated uptake and selectivity against healthy cells. Iterative feedback between these steps will establish structure–activity relationships. Expected outcomes will include new insights into how linker properties influence molecular recognition at membranes and the development of selective AMP–glycan conjugates with reduced toxicity. Beyond these immediate applications, Link-IT will provide a versatile platform for the design of future dual-targeting therapeutics.
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.
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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-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-MSCA-2025-PF
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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.
15782 Santiago De Compostela
Spain
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.