Objective Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a very successful intracellular pathogen: in 2014, tuberculosis (TB) caused 1.5 million human deaths (World Health Organisation). To cause disease and disseminate to other hosts, Mtb needs to replicate within human cells. In spite of its enormous relevance for TB pathogenesis, the precise sites of Mtb replication in host cells remain unknown. This surprising gap in knowledge is in part due to the lack of appropriate imaging technologies that have precluded comprehensive understanding of the fundamental biology that underpins Mtb-host cell interactions critical to design rational interventions. Here, we propose to use a series of cutting-edge imaging approaches in human macrophages to: (1) define how the dynamic interactions between Mtb populations and organelles impact Mtb replication; (2) identify critical host and bacterial components that regulate Mtb replication and (3) characterise the host cell death pathways that control Mtb replication. For this, we will benefit from technologies developed in our group to image and quantify Mtb localisation and replication, such as live cell imaging, super resolution (SR) microscopy and correlative live cell 3D- electron microscopy (CLEM). We will refine these approaches to challenge the current limits of cell-based, high content imaging by combining human stem cell-derived macrophages with adhesive micropattern technologies for single cell analysis; this allows us to identify where and when Mtb replicate and how the interplay between host cells and Mtb impacts this process. Together, this proposal can uncover novel cellular pathways defining the intracellular sites that allow or restrict Mtb replication in human macrophages, thereby advancing the fields of both cell and infection biology. The characterization of the site of intracellular replication of Mtb can open avenues for a deeper understanding of human TB pathogenesis and facilitate development of vaccines and antibioo be here soon Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopyelectron microscopymedical and health sciencesclinical medicinepneumologytuberculosismedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsvaccines Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2017-COG - ERC Consolidator Grant Call for proposal ERC-2017-COG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant Coordinator THE FRANCIS CRICK INSTITUTE LIMITED Net EU contribution € 2 000 000,00 Address 1 midland road NW1 1AT London United Kingdom See on map Region London Inner London — West Camden and City of London Activity type Research Organisations 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 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all THE FRANCIS CRICK INSTITUTE LIMITED United Kingdom Net EU contribution € 2 000 000,00 Address 1 midland road NW1 1AT London See on map Region London Inner London — West Camden and City of London Activity type Research Organisations 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
