Objective
African trypanosomes are parasites that cause disease in both humans and livestock throughout sub Saharan Africa, leading to death and hardship in afflicted regions. The disease is spread by blood-feeding tsetse flies and trypanosomes use sophisticated mechanisms to sense their environment in order to optimise their chances of transmission. In particular, whilst in the host bloodstream trypanosomes communicate with one another to monitor their own population density, this determining when they produce specialised transmission stages (so called ‘Stumpy’ forms). We have recently identified, using a genome-wide RNAi screen, components of the signal transduction pathway that drive this quorum sensing (QS) response. One component seems pivotal in the pathway- a molecule related to the YAK kinase of proteins. In yeasts and slime molds YAK kinase contributes to cell growth arrest in response to extracellular signals including nutrient limitation, whilst in mammals, related molecules of the DYRK family can also act in cellular quiescence. In this proposal we will investigate the function of trypanosome YAK kinase in the parasite's QS response. Specifically, we will investigate the kinase function in vitro and in vivo and dissect its action by following its location and targets. These are likely to differ from the situation in yeasts where YAK relocates to the nucleus and changes mRNA expression; in trypanosomes gene regulation is almost exclusively post transcriptional and likely operates within the cytoplasm. The function, location and interactions of YAK kinase in the QS signalling pathway is expected to provide comprehensive insight into how trypanosome parasites control their development in preparation for transmission, with additional important relevance for related parasites including other kinetoplastids and malaria. A two way benefit, encompassing training and expertise exchange between the researcher and host laboratory, will also be established.
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.
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases malaria
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- agricultural sciences animal and dairy science domestic animals animal husbandry
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology mammalogy
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry mass spectrometry
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2014
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
EH8 9YL Edinburgh
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.