Objective The gut microbiota has been associated with metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. In my ERC consolidator award we demonstrated that the gut microbiota is altered following bariatric surgery and that the altered microbiota may be directly linked to some of the metabolic improvements observed following surgery. Interestingly, improved metabolism was associated with altered metabolite production capacity from the microbiota and we observed that a metabolite, imidazole propionate, was reduced after surgery. In associated projects we have demonstrated that imidazole propionate is associated with type 2 diabetes in humans and induce insulin resistance in primary hepatocytes and when injected into mice. Imidazole propionate is synthesized by the microbial enzyme UrdA from histidine. This POC will explore the potential of identifying inhibitors of UrdA to reduce production of imidazole propionate and thereby improve insulin sensitivity. If successful we envision a new class of diabetes medication based on the concept of drug the bug. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicinesurgerymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineendocrinologydiabetesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymesmedical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutritionobesity Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2017-PoC - ERC-Proof of Concept Call for proposal ERC-2017-PoC See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant Coordinator GOETEBORGS UNIVERSITET Net EU contribution € 149 700,75 Address Vasaparken 405 30 Goeteborg Sweden See on map Region Södra Sverige Västsverige Västra Götalands län 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 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all GOETEBORGS UNIVERSITET Sweden Net EU contribution € 149 700,75 Address Vasaparken 405 30 Goeteborg See on map Region Södra Sverige Västsverige Västra Götalands län 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
