Objective
Apicomplexa is a phylum of intracellular parasites, including pathogens of medical and veterinary importance. In contrast to pathogenic bacteria, these parasites are eukaryotes and share numerous metabolic pathways with their animal hosts, making therapeutic target development difficult. Two genera (Plasmodium and Toxoplasma), which are responsible for serious diseases in humans, have been the focus of most studies in this parasite group. Malaria caused by Plasmodium is one of the deadliest human infections, leading to 2-3 million deaths per annum. Plasmodium and Toxoplasma harbour a relict plastid, called the apicoplast, involved in unique and vital metabolic processes. Synthesis of fatty acids in the apicoplast, catalyzed by a prokaryotic type II fatty acid synthase (FASII), is a particularly interesting potential target because it is critical for the plastid biogenesis and probably required for the vital demand of cell membrane syntheses. Based on the recent development of an apicoplast purification protocol in Pr. McFadden’s group, the project aims to achieve three objectives regarding the apicoplast lipid synthesis. We will determine the lipid composition of the apicoplast and its separated membranes using conventional biochemistry as well as novel mass spectrometry lipid analysis methods. By metabolic labelling and sub-cellular fractionations, the lipids depending on the FASII pathway and their possible sub-cellular trafficking will be sought. Finally we will focus on the role of enzymes responsible for the synthesis of phosphatidic acid (ACT1 and ACT2) and predicted to be located in the apicoplast, using GFP constructs and inducible KO. Dr. Maréchal's group provides also a pharmacological screening environment: the potential of characterized enzymes as drug targets will be additionally investigated and transfered to drug development pipeline.
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
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases malaria
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry mass spectrometry
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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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.
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.
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.
FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-1-IOF
See other projects for this call
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.
Coordinator
75794 PARIS
France
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.