Objective
The immune system has evolved to protect the organism from a variety of disease-causing agents, and to avoid harmful responses to self. A number of disorders develop in case of inappropriate immune responses: these include autoimmune diseases, allergy, tra nsplant rejection, as well as immuno-deficiencies and failure to eliminate developing tumors. Current therapies lack specificity and cause dangerous side-effects. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying immune tolerance and activation is the first step to develop effective molecular targeted therapies. Our aim is to define the in vivo function of a family of molecules, the Nck adaptors, which orchestrate actin cytoskeleton remodelling and have been invoked as key regulators of crucial immunological functions, such as immune cell migration and formation of the immune synapse, a key structure in the transmission of antigen-specific signals. We have shown that in vivo deletion of Nck1 or Nck2 is phenotypically silent, whereas concomitant d eletion of both Nck proteins results in early embryonic lethality. To study the role of Nck in immune cells, we have developed a conditional gene targeting system, enabling tissue-specific deletion of the Nck proteins. The role of Nck in the development an d function of T, B cells and dendritic cells will be studied using a multi-disciplinary approach, including phenotypic and functional analyses as well as cutting edge real-time imaging and proteomic (SELDI) analysis. Our aim is to develop a competitive tea m specialized in the immune biology of the Nck adaptors and their potential implication for targeted immuno-therapy. Our preliminary findings indicate that the Nck proteins are essential for T cell development and activation. Therefore, the successful comp letion of our studies should advance our knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of immune tolerance and activation and open new diagnostic and therapeutic perspective in the field of immune dysfunctions.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology autoimmune diseases
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine allergology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology immunotherapy
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
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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-8
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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
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.