Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English en
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Quantifying behavioural phenotype space: chemistry-to-gene screens and combination therapies

Objective

A central goal of precision medicine is to tailor treatments for individuals based on their genomic sequence. However, many common diseases are associated with mutations in multiple genes and drugs often interact with multiple targets, making it difficult to go from genome sequence to drug selection. Spontaneous locomotion in the nematode C. elegans provides a model to address fundamental questions about the mapping between chemical and genetic perturbation and complex phenotypes. To take full advantage of this potentially powerful model system, we will develop high-throughput tracking technology, both hardware and software, and use it to measure changes in worm behaviour in response to treatment with small molecules and genome-wide RNA interference. The result will be an unprecedented view of a multidimensional phenotype space in a genetically tractable model animal that will allow us to predict mechanisms of action, discover new gene-behaviour associations, and suggest new indications for approved drugs. We will then analyse this mapping to define design principles for combination therapies and test them quantitatively in vivo. The final aim is to combine automated phenotyping and liquid handling with a genetic algorithm to evolve complex drug cocktails. The result will be a better understanding of the potential of precision medicine and progress towards quantitative methods to realise that potential with combination therapies.

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.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Programme(s)

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.

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.

ERC-STG - Starting Grant

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2016-STG

See all projects funded under this call

Host institution

IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 1 917 847,00
Address
SOUTH KENSINGTON CAMPUS EXHIBITION ROAD
SW7 2AZ London
United Kingdom

See on map

Region
London Inner London — West Westminster
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 1 917 847,00

Beneficiaries (1)

My booklet 0 0