Objective
The innate immune system is the first line of defence against invading pathogens. The immediate response against viruses involves the secretion of interferon-alpha and -beta, which induce an `anti-viral state and apos; in the infected cell and warn neighbo uring cells of the danger. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), a hallmark of viral infection, is a potent stimulus of the interferon response, but the molecular mechanisms involved in dsRNA recognition and subsequent signal transduction have only partially been c haracterised. We aim to identify novel components of the signalling pathways involved in interferon induction, by exploiting the fact that many viruses are able to interfere with signalling pathways that regulate the innate immune response. Large DNA virus es possess a particularly ample repertoire of immuno-modulatory genes. We will screen the genome of vaccinia virus for inhibitors of the interferon response, and identify host proteins that interact with the viral inhibitors. The cellular targets of viral inhibition are likely to be key regulators of the anti-viral response, and we will attempt to characterise their function with respect to known signalling pathways. This project, while aimed at elucidating basic cellular signalling mechanisms, may yield re sults of great medical importance. A more detailed understanding of virus-host interactions is crucial at a time when (re-)emerging infectious diseases and the potential threat of biological warfare pose new scientific challenges. Also, the study of immuno -modulatory proteins may result in the identification of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of chronic and acute inflammatory diseases. The proposed project would allow the candidate to enter a new field of study at the interface of molecular cell biology, immunology and virology. Due to the acquisition of new technical and transferable skills, the research training would be a crucial stepping stone in the candidate and apos;s academic career path.
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 clinical medicine rheumatology
- medical and health sciences health sciences inflammatory diseases
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology virology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases DNA viruses
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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.
FP6-2004-MOBILITY-5
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
DUBLIN 2
Ireland
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.