Objective
Autoimmune diseases and related inflammatory disorders are worldwide on the rise, underscoring the urgent need to better understand how immune responses of the body can be modulated. While natural products have long provided leads for drug discovery, research has focused primarily on small molecules extracted with organic solvents. In contrast, peptides from aqueous extracts remain an underexplored natural resource, even though accumulating evidence suggests that such peptides can profoundly affect immune cell activity. This neglected space offers a unique opportunity for peptide discovery.
Our project will systematically investigate chemical extracts of >240 organisms, with scarcity of studies associated with their peptide production, around two-thirds of which have never been studied for their peptide content, despite some having a long tradition of use in treating immune-related conditions. Using an integrated peptidomics approach that we currently establish with the Biodiversa+ network ‘Biodiversity2Drugs’, we will first predict peptide sequences in genome/transcriptome datasets with potential activity at immune cell G protein-coupled receptors, allowing us to prioritize candidates. These most promising plant and fungus species will then be selected for detailed study. They will be processed with optimized aqueous extraction protocols, followed by fractionation, isolation and de novo peptide sequencing to identify bioactive peptides. Where natural quantities are insufficient, synthetic versions will be prepared. Finally, these purified peptides will be tested for their ability to bind to and modulate specific receptor pharmacology, and to influence immune cell function using an array of second messenger, cell sorting and cytokine release assays.
Our study seeks to broaden the chemical and biological space of immunomodulatory compounds, advancing fundamental knowledge on how nature may help to provide tools and drug leads for understanding immune cell signaling.
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 pharmacology and pharmacy drug discovery
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology cell signaling
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology mycology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology autoimmune diseases
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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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-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.
1090 WIEN
Austria
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.