Objective
Within clonal bacterial populations not all cells exhibit the same phenotype, even though they grow in the same environment. The molecular sources contributing to phenotypic variation are diverse and can originate from noise in gene expression to heterogeneity in growth rates or cell cycle state. Phenotypic variation helps pathogenic bacteria to elude the host immune response or resist antibiotic pressure. Vice versa, there is cell-to-cell variability in the host’s response towards pathogens that can be exploited by bacteria. How the combined cellular heterogeneity of both host and microbe contribute to infection outcome is poorly understood. The role of phenotypic variation on antibiotic resistance development is also unclear.
Recently, we developed novel single cell imaging systems as well as genetic engineering and screening platforms for application to the important opportunistic human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. In addition, we generated a dual-transcriptomics overview of pneumococcal infection of human lung epithelial cells and setup collaborations to perform several infection models. This now places us in an excellent position to investigate the mechanisms and the importance of single cell behaviour for pneumococcal virulence and antibiotic resistance.
The driving hypothesis of this application is that the combined heterogeneity of host cells and pneumococci influences infection and antibiotic therapy outcome. To test this, we will use innovative approaches for infection biology by combining synthetic biology and quantitative single cell biology including single cell RNA-seq, CRISPRi, engineered bistable switches and microfluidics. We will reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying cell-to-cell variability and its importance in virulence and antibiotic resistance.
Insights obtained in this project will lead to a better understanding of phenotypic variation and might result in new treatment strategies for pneumococcal infections.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences synthetic biology
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug resistance antibiotic resistance
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant
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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) ERC-2017-COG
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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.
1015 LAUSANNE
Switzerland
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.