Objective
Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungus that is able to infect humans and cause serious disease. The nickel containing enzyme urease is essential for the ability of C. neoformans to survive within the lung and establish infection. Nickel has the potential to be toxic to the cell so that C. neoformans will have evolved mechanisms to acquire and distribute this metal ion in a way that does not cause cellular damage.
The objective of this proposal is to define the nickel homeostasic pathways of C. neoformans. Initially, genetic screens will be carried out to identify genes that are required for the acquisition, distribution and sensing of nickel in C. neoformans. The regulation of the identified genes and their respective gene products will be analysed using standard molecular techniques.
The cellular localisation of the relevant gene products will be identified and preliminary analysis of any nickel binding proteins carried out. This will establish C. neoformans as a model organism for the study of nickel metabolism as it relates to a fungal pathogen. This is a novel area of research that will provide the applicant with a biological system that will be the basis of his research for many years. Consequently, this proposal will help the applicant return to Europe from the United States and establish himself as an independent scientist.
This research falls within the life sciences, genomics and biotechnology thematic priority of the Specific Programme. In particular, this proposal provides a multidisciplinary approach to a basic biological process that has implications for human health.
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 genetics
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology mycology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
- 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.
FP6-2004-MOBILITY-12
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.
IRG - Marie Curie actions-International re-integration grants
Coordinator
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
United Kingdom
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.