Objective Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune chronic disease, characterized by inflammation in multiple joints, ultimately leading to joint deformity, pain and swelling. RA is one of the most frequent inflammatory arthropathies, with a prevalence of 0.3%-1%, striking during the most productive years of adulthood, and is a chronic disabling condition. No therapies exist to prevent RA, and a high percentage of patients do not respond to currently available therapies. Our research aims to integrate expertise on immunology and cutting-edge screening technologies to identify novel immunotherapeutics for RA based on immune modulation mechanisms. The project makes use of an extensive screening effort using a chemical library (60,000 compounds) containing repurposing drugs (drugs already approved for their use for the treatment of other diseases), targeted libraries and lead-like compounds. The aim of the project is to identify novel small molecules capable to modulate the immune response, counterbalancing the altered inflammatory environment that characterizes RA. Elucidation of the mechanism of action of the candidates (cell type, pathway and target) will take place through state-of-the art technologies such as chemoproteomics, RNASeq or CRISPR/Cas9. Ultimately, the most promising candidates will be tested ex vivo in cells from RA patients, providing a proof-of-concept of the therapeutic utility of the identified mechanism. The project is interdisciplinary and will make progress beyond the state of the art, as the identified immunotherapeutics could also be employed to treat other (auto)immune diseases, as well as being potentially translated to immunotherapy of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The high-quality and originality of this proposal will open up the best career possibilities for the experienced researcher, and will be carried out under the umbrella of a public-private partnership with a pharmaceutical company, boosting European competitiveness. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicinerheumatologymedical and health sciencesclinical medicinecardiologycardiovascular diseasesmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologyimmunotherapy 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-2017 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2017 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator UNIVERSIDAD DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA Net EU contribution € 170 121,60 Address Colexio de san xerome praza do obradoiro s/n 15782 Santiago de compostela Spain See on map Region Noroeste Galicia A Coruña 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
