Project description
Uncovering the molecular events leading to the development of Legionnaires' disease
An ageing population and the increasing use of immunomodulators result in a growing incidence of opportunistic infections. Legionella bacteria, mainly Legionella pneumophila, cause respiratory infections with a range of symptoms from mild flu to severe pneumonia, called Legionnaires' disease. The molecular mechanisms of the susceptibility for the disease are poorly understood. To tackle this, the EU-funded OPTIMISE project aims to establish human precision-cut lung tissue slices and perfused whole human lungs as infection models for Legionella. It will examine the clinical relevance of the models, analyse the transcriptional responses of cells in the infected human tissues, and employ histology and state-of-the-art microscopy to visualise infection dynamics and host responses.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
Coordinator
BT7 1NN Belfast
United Kingdom
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