PHAGOSCOPY: Dissecting cell-autonomous immunity with ex vivo electron cryo-microscopy

Project description

Molecular mechanisms of cell self-defence

Many pathogens have the ability to escape the immune system by invading the host cells and hiding inside phagosomes whose membrane prevents pathogen recognition and elimination. Cell-autonomous immunity represents the part of the cell self-defence system that fights off such pathogens. This immune response mobilises the guanylate-binding proteins that form dynamic supramolecular complexes promoting lysis of phagosomes and elimination of pathogens. The goal of the EU-funded PHAGOSCOPY project is to study molecular mechanisms of this immune response, and to obtain detailed information about the composition of the guanylate-binding protein complex and its rearrangements leading to rupture of the phagosome membrane. The research will employ a novel approach for integrative imaging involving cryo-electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy in combination with a unique native phagosome ex vivo reconstitution system.

Field of science

/medical and health sciences/health sciences/public and environmental health/epidemics prevention/immunisation
/natural sciences/biological sciences/biochemistry/biomolecules/proteins
/natural sciences/biological sciences/molecular biology/structural biology
/medical and health sciences/basic medicine/immunology

Funding Scheme

ERC-STG - Starting Grant

Host institution

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFT

Address

Stevinweg 1
2628 CN Delft
Netherlands

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

EU contribution

€ 1 438 510

Website

Contact the organisation

Beneficiaries (1)

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFT

Netherlands