Objective Control over the activation of the immune system is central to the key issues of human health. Autoimmunity, atopy, persistent infections and tumours all share a common root cause in a sub-optimal balance between immune activity and tolerance. At the heart of this balance are T cells, with the capacity for both activation and suppression. Research in mouse models has allowed enormous progress to be made on understanding fundamental mechanics, and yet the next step translating this understanding into therapeutics has proven far more difficult than originally anticipated. The basis of this problem may be a reliance on the mouse model without parallel human research. In this project we propose to create a dynamic interplay between the technological advantages of working in mouse models and the physiological relevance of studying the human immune system in three key research areas.The first research track is a gene discovery program, using an immunology-orientated approach to allow the discovery of important human disease genes that remain invisible to clinically-orientated approaches. The second research track is a functional genomics program, seeking to address the mechanistic questions that arise from traditional disease-gene association studies. This information is of critical importance in translating genetic data into therapeutic interventions and provides the basis for personalised medicine. The third research track is a direct hypothesis-driven project testing the role that genetic variation in the target organ alters susceptibility to autoimmune disease. Each of these research tracks utilises cutting edge technology in genetics and immunology, combining knowledge from mouse models with innovative study design in human populations. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsmedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologyautoimmune diseasesmedical and health scienceshealth sciencespersonalized medicine Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-LS6 - ERC Starting Grant - Immunity and infection Call for proposal ERC-2010-StG_20091118 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Coordinator VIB VZW Address Rijvisschestraat 120 9052 Zwijnaarde - gent Belgium See on map Region Vlaams Gewest Prov. Oost-Vlaanderen Arr. Gent Activity type Research Organisations Principal investigator Adrian Liston (Prof.) Administrative Contact Rik Audenaert (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all VIB VZW Belgium EU contribution € 1 496 687,87 Address Rijvisschestraat 120 9052 Zwijnaarde - gent See on map Region Vlaams Gewest Prov. Oost-Vlaanderen Arr. Gent Activity type Research Organisations Principal investigator Adrian Liston (Prof.) Administrative Contact Rik Audenaert (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Other funding No data
