Project description DEENESFRITPL How the Fulani people can help fight malaria Numbering at least 25 million, the Fulani people are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa, widely scattered across the region. They are also more resistant to malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes. The reason the Fulani are less susceptible to malaria infections remains unknown. The QuinADAR1 project will test the hypothesis that reduced rates of A-to-I editing of RNA in the Fulani following infection enables them to mount a more effective innate immune response to malaria. This contributes to their relative protection from the disease. The results of the research may lead to new strategies to boost effective immune response to malaria. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective I will investigate what mediates an effective human immune response to infection with Plasmodium falciparum malaria.I will approach this through studying the Fulani ethnic group of West Africa, who are relatively resistant to malaria infection. The basis of the Fulani protection from malaria has never been established. However, we have performed a pilot study which suggests that reduced levels of adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing of RNA by ADAR1 following P. falciparum infection can drive a more effective innate immune response in the Fulani. We have an established collaboration with the Malaria Research and Training Centre at University of Sciences Technique and Technology in Mali, who have strong ties to the Fulani community. At Stockholm University, I have had the opportunity to develop a strong background in immunology research techniques, specifically utilizing in vitro models of malaria infection in human monocytes, in the research group of Eva Sverremark-Ekström. As the role of RNA modifications is an emerging field, I plan to move to CEITEC, Czech Republic, to work with Mary O’Connell, who has pioneered the role of A-to-I RNA modification in the innate immune response to RNA. Specifically, we will test the hypothesis that reduced rates of A-to-I editing of RNA in the Fulani following infection enables them to mount a more effective innate immune response to P. falciparum malaria, and contributes to their relative protection from the disease. Further, targeting of ADAR1 and/or reduction in levels of A-to-I RNA levels may present a novel strategy to boost effective immune response to malaria. Fields of science medical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesmalariamedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsRNAsocial sciencespolitical sciencesgovernment systems Programme(s) H2020-EU.4. - SPREADING EXCELLENCE AND WIDENING PARTICIPATION Main Programme Topic(s) WF-01-2018 - Widening Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-WF-2018-2020 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-WF-01-2018 Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator Masarykova univerzita Net EU contribution € 144 980,64 Address Zerotinovo namesti 9 601 77 Brno Czechia See on map Region Česko Jihovýchod Jihomoravský kraj 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
