Programmed cell death across the eukaryotic kingdom

Objective

Programmed cell death (PCD) is normally invoked during development and immunity, but inappropriate PCD is associated with pathologies including cancer and degenerative diseases. Conserved genes controlling apoptosis, a type of PCD dependent upon caspase proteinases, were first identified in the model organism C. elegans. This work received a 2003 Nobel Prize, and biomédical research has established related mammalian PCD pathways. However, phylogenetically conserved PCD types other than apoptosis exist i n animal and non-animal cells. This TransDeath project will focus on cellular and molecular events in these less well known cell death types. Thus, the project aims to broaden the experimental net to catch PCD regulators by comparative research on divers e organisms that each may be uniquely suited to unravel a type of conserved PCD process. The main approach will be across the eukaryotic kingdom, the main aim will be to understand these types of cell death in humans. TransDeath thereby aims to produce knowledge on genes and biochemical processes that regulate PCD in different organisms, and to apply that knowledge to develop strategies and targets for human disease therapy. Specific TransDeath objectives include: - Characterize the diversity of genes & biochemicals controlling PCD of diverse types - Functionally compare these genes & biochemicals between organisms - Derive genetic & functional models of PCD evolution - Test genes & biochemicals on PCD related to human normal function an d disease The results of this project will be of great value to the European and international scientific communities. Our efforts will strengthen European research in the strategic area of functional genomics and yield a wealth of information on gene fu nction in PCD immediately relevant to pharmaceutical R&D. Several patent applications are foreseen, to be exploited by the SME partner.

Field of science

• /medical and health sciences/basic medicine/pathology
• /natural sciences/biological sciences/microbiology/mycology
• /medical and health sciences/clinical medicine/cancer

Programme(s)

• FP6-LIFESCIHEALTH - Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health: Thematic Priority 1 under the Focusing and Integrating Community Research programme 2002-2006.

Topic(s)

• LSH-2003-1.1.0-1 - Topics for Specific Targeted Research Project in the area of Fundamental knowledge and basic tools for functional genomics in all organisms

Call for proposal

FP6-2003-LIFESCIHEALTH-I
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

STREP - Specific Targeted Research Project

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN

Address

Noerregade 10
Copenhagen
Denmark

Participants (8)

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE

France

Address

3, Rue Michel-ange
Paris

FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, HELLAS

Greece

Address

Vassilika Vouton
Heraklion

WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE

Israel

Address

Rehovot

UNIVERSITY OF ROME TOR VERGATA

Italy

Address

Montpellier 1
Rome

THE SAINSBURY LABORATORY

United Kingdom

Address

Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane
Norwich

XANTOS BIOMEDICINE AG

Germany

Address

Max-lebsche-platz 31
München

INSTITUTE NATIONAL DE LA SANTÉ ET DE LA RECHERCHE MÉDICALE, ADR PARIS XI

France

Address

101, Rue De Tolbiac
Paris

KARL-FRANZENS-UNIVERSITÄT GRAZ

Austria

Address

Universitätsplatz 3
Graz