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

Characterisation of the Plasmodium PHIST protein family

Objective

The malaria parasite is the ultimate home renovator, inducing drastic changes to the host red blood cell (RBC) important for virulence and sexual maturation. Members of the PHIST protein family are involved RBC modification and while some are expressed in the sexual stages, their function is unknown. To understand the significance of the extensive RBC alterations, the functional characterisation of the PHIST family is required. To begin this task, we have carefully selected 10 PHIST proteins to be analysed. First, we will set up novel techniques based on a microfluidics device that will greatly enhance our ability to study the rheological properties of the infected RBC. These new methods will improve our analysis of the infected RBC and also give unprecedented insights into the RBC modifications during the sexual stages, that to date have not been possible. We will also use cutting-edge molecular and biochemical analyses to ensure we get the highest level of data from such a broad and ambitious project. This embodies the first study to thoroughly investigate the role of RBC modifications in parasite virulence, and transmission of the sexual stages to mosquitoes. Dissecting the underlying mechanisms required to alter RBC will not only help to better understand how the disease develops but also how it’s transmitted, information vital to preventing this debilitating disease. This project will lay the foundation to characterise the entire PHIST family, and while this remains the long-term goal, having 75 family members puts this beyond the scope of this fellowship. In order to be able to characterise such a large protein family, a project such as this is required to carefully and precisely establish a pipeline for generating genetic mutants followed by accurate phenotypic analysis. The results obtained in this project will help to reveal the importance of parasite induced RBC structural and functional changes across multiple life cycle stages.

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.

MSCA-IF-EF-CAR - CAR – Career Restart panel

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) H2020-MSCA-IF-2017

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

STICHTING RADBOUD UNIVERSITEIT
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.

€ 177 598,80
Address
HOUTLAAN 4
6525 XZ Nijmegen
Netherlands

See on map

Region
Oost-Nederland Gelderland Arnhem/Nijmegen
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.

€ 177 598,80
My booklet 0 0