Objective
Fungal infections have a major impact on human health, infecting about 2 billion people and killing more people each year than malaria or breast cancer. In particular, Candida species impose a high clinical and economic burden upon the European population. They frequently cause fatal hospital-acquired bloodstream infections. They also cause oral thrush and vaginitis. Most women have suffered an episode of vulvovaginal candidiasis, with ~8% enduring recurrent infections. The initiation and severity of a Candida infection depends on an intricate interplay between the infecting fungal strain and the individual’s immune status and microbiota, all of which can display significant variability. Therefore, for the first time, FunHoMic integrates experts in fungal pathogenesis, immunology, microbial ecology and ‘omics technologies to train 13 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) who will define and exploit this Fungal-Host-Microbiota interplay to identify novel biomarkers (fungal or host genetic polymorphisms, microbiota profiles, metabolites or immune markers) for the stratification of a patient’s risk of serious fungal infection. This will pave the way for precision medicine in patient management through preventive or therapeutic interventions using antifungals, immune modulators or Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBPs). FunHoMic ESRs will gain broad interdisciplinary skills plus a translational mindset through our integrated, inter-sectoral training program. This will allow Europe to remain at the forefront of translational research in the field of medical mycology. To achieve this vision FunHoMic unites academic partners from France, Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain and UK, a French Technology Research Institute with cutting-edge ‘omics technology platforms and three SMEs from The Netherlands, Belgium and France that bring unrivalled organ-on-chip and gastro-intestinal tract simulation technologies and expertise in the development and exploitation of innovative LBPs.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Call for proposal
H2020-MSCA-ITN-2018
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
MSCA-ITN-ETN - European Training Networks
Coordinator
75724 Paris Cedex 15
France
Participants (9)
07745 Jena
6525 XZ Nijmegen
8006 Zurich
08035 Barcelona
AB24 3FX Aberdeen
69007 Lyon
2342 DH Oegstgeest
9052 Gent Zwijnaarde
15130 Arpajon Sur Cere
Partners (5)
63000 Clermont Ferrand
9000 Gent
2311 EZ Leiden
75006 Paris
OX14 4RZ Abingdon Oxfordshire