Project description
Therapeutic strategies for inflammation-related diseases
Inflammation underlies diseases such as Alzheimer’s and type 2 diabetes, with NLRP3 acting as a central inflammasome sensor whose regulation remains incompletely understood. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions FLAME3 project aims to build a comprehensive framework of NLRP3 activation and regulation. It will use deep mutational scanning to generate a complete functional map identifying regulatory hotspots and disease-relevant variants, as well as AI-assisted de novo protein design to create binders targeting allosteric sites. Together with structural biology, cellular assays, and patient genetic datasets, the project will link molecular mechanisms to disease risk. Expected outcomes include a structure–function atlas of NLRP3, validated molecular tools, and an integrated map of clinically relevant variants, enabling new therapeutic entry points for inflammation-driven diseases.
Objective
Inflammation underlies many of the world’s most prevalent diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes and rare autoinflammatory syndromes. NLRP3 is a central inflammasome sensor and a key mediator of inflammatory diseases, often serving as a model for the field, yet its activation and regulatory mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This gap limits our ability to interpret patient variants and to design targeted interventions. This project aims to establish a comprehensive framework explaining how NLRP3 integrates signals, undergoes conformational transitions, and its activity can be selectively modulated.
To this end, we propose FLAME3 (Functional Landscape of NLRP3 Activation and regulation by deep Mutational scanning and Engineering), focused on deciphering the molecular determinants of NLRP3 regulation. FLAME3 combines complementary methodologies. Deep mutational scanning will generate a complete functional map of NLRP3, identifying regulatory hotspots and variants with altered activity. AI-assisted de novo protein design will be used to generate binders probing allosteric sites. Structural biology and cellular assays will dissect how these sites control inflammasome assembly and downstream signaling. Functional maps will then be cross-referenced with patient genetic datasets to highlight clinically relevant variants and link molecular changes to disease risk.
The project aligns with the MSCA work programme by delivering interdisciplinary research that advances fundamental knowledge while opening translational opportunities. Expected outcomes include a structure–function atlas of NLRP3, validated molecular tools for probing its regulation, and an integrated map of genetic variants with clinical relevance. Together, these results will provide durable resources for the scientific community, strengthen Europe’s leadership in inflammation research, and create new entry points for therapeutic strategies against inflammation-driven diseases.
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 health sciences inflammatory diseases
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine endocrinology diabetes
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology structural biology
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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)
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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
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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
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(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.
1015 Lausanne
Switzerland
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