Objective Current epilepsy therapies, based on mediating excitation or inhibition have no impact on disease progression and are ineffective in over 30% of patients, demonstrating the urgent need for therapies with different mechanisms of action. An exciting concept is that increased hyperexcitability states and network changes are caused and maintained by a sustained glial activation.The ATP-gated P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), a gatekeeper of inflammation, has recently emerged as a promising target for epilepsy, showing anticonvulsant and disease-modifying properties in animal models. To bring P2X7R further towards a clinical application, however, important gaps in our understanding must be filled. Evidence for ATP release in the brain during seizures is currently lacking, the cell types involved in pathological P2X7R activation must be determined, and whether results from rodent models can be replicated in human tissue must be tested. Recent technical advances now bring the answers to these questions within reach. EpiPur brings together a team of experts in purinergic signalling, industrial partners specialised in the development of P2X7R antagonists and epilepsy clinicians. Biosensors will be used to record ATP in vivo with high sensitivity and temporal resolution; new transgenic mouse lines will be used to elucidate the subcellular expression and cell-specific disease contribution of P2X7R. Newly developed P2X7R antagonists will be tested in brain tissue resected from epilepsy patients. This highly interdisciplinary and intersectoral approach will add a significant contribution to the understanding of neuroinflammatory processes in disorders of the CNS. Further, the skills acquired during the research project, the excellent training record of the supervisor and host institution and the outstanding resources for learning and development available at RCSI will give me the tools necessary to achieve research independence. Fields of science engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsbiosensorsmedical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologyepilepsy Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN IRELAND Net EU contribution € 175 866,00 Address St stephen's green 123 2 Dublin Ireland See on map Region Ireland Northern and Western Border Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
