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Integrating genomics, epidemiology and evolution to accelerate tuberculosis eradication

Description du projet

Renforcer les programmes d’éradication de la tuberculose

La tuberculose (TB) demeure une menace médicale pour la santé et les programmes de lutte actuels ne parviennent pas à endiguer la transmission de la maladie. Cela souligne la nécessité d’une avancée significative de notre compréhension de l’épidémiologie de la tuberculose. Financé par le Conseil européen de la recherche, le projet TB-ACCELERATE se propose de procéder au séquençage du génome entier pour mieux comprendre l’épidémiologie et l’évolution de la tuberculose. L’approche pluridisciplinaire du projet vise à apporter des réponses à des questions irrésolues et à améliorer les programmes de lutte contre la tuberculose à l’échelle mondiale. Les chercheurs recueilleront des informations génomiques auprès de populations peu touchées par la maladie qui leur permettront de mieux comprendre la transmission de la tuberculose. L’identification des facteurs de risque de la tuberculose permettra d’améliorer la conception de modèles et d’élaborer des stratégies innovantes, ce qui à terme accélérera l’éradication de la tuberculose dans le monde.

Objectif

"When the scale of the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic was highlighted by its declaration as a ""Global Emergency"" by WHO in 1993, it was envisaged that the efficient use of existing tools would result in a progressive decline towards eradication. This has not occurred. At the current pace of decline in TB incidence the Millennium objective to eradicate it by 2050 will not be met. Predictions of epidemiological models were inaccurate and current control programs and technologies have shown their limitations to control the transmission of the disease. To overcome these limitations we need a technological, methodological and conceptual leap forward that can reveal the unknowns of TB epidemiology. I propose whole genome sequencing (WGS) as the technology that can mediate this advance. While WGS has been applied mostly to retrospective datasets I propose to use it in prospective samples from a low-burden region at a population scale. Genome information will fill the gap between epidemiology and evolution to have a direct impact on public health. This will allow to develop innovative methodologies to describe transmission at an unprecedented resolution and as a consequence to differentiate among risks factors associated to the bacteria, the host, the environment and their interactions. Elucidation of these factors will lead to better models used to design new strategies and accelerate global TB eradication. In addition, I will show how the real-time integration of data in public eHealth systems combined with in situ interventions will accelerate TB eradication. The strength of the project resides in its multidisciplinary approach to TB epidemiology that will provide answers to yet-out-of-reach questions. It will lead to improving health status at the local level as well as to epidemiological and control programs at a global scale. In summary, the project will open new ways to foster the long sought outcome of the tuberculosis community: TB eradication."

Régime de financement

ERC-STG - Starting Grant

Institution d’accueil

AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Contribution nette de l'UE
€ 1 275 875,00
Adresse
CALLE SERRANO 117
28006 Madrid
Espagne

Voir sur la carte

Région
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Type d’activité
Research Organisations
Liens
Coût total
€ 1 275 875,00

Bénéficiaires (2)