Objectif The fungus Candida albicans is a common cause of human infection with serious morbidity, but the organism is also a commensal yeast that is part of the normal gut microbiota. It is becoming increasingly clear that the composition of the microbiome plays an important role in health and disease. For instance, recently it was shown that commensal fungi in the gut can contribute to the severity of colitis (inflammation of the gut). Immune recognition of C. albicans is mediated by Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) of innate immune cells. The major PRRs involved in fungal immune responses are C-type lectin receptors Dectin-1, DC-SIGN, Dectin-2, Mincle, Galectin-3 and Mannose Receptor. Signaling by C-type lectin receptors depends on the formation of signaling protein complexes, but these complexes are poorly characterized. We need to understand C-type lectin-mediated immune responses to fungi to improve diagnostics and generate new anti-fungal drugs and vaccines. My approach to increase our understanding of fungal immune recognition is to (1) Characterize C-type lectin receptor complexes that drive innate recognition of C. albicans using sortase technology (2) Study immune recognition of commensal and pathogenic Candida strains and isolates with fluorescent PRR binding domains and (3) Investigate the contribution of fungi to the development and/or severity of human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by quantitative proteomics. Fungal infections are on the rise so we need to understand how the immune system detects pathogenic behavior of commensal fungi. My expertise in the fungal host-pathogen field and the advanced technologies that I have developed put me in a unique position to advance our understanding of immune-fungal interactions. The results of this IIF project will offer a clear perspective on future clinical applications. Champ scientifique medical and health sciencesclinical medicinegastroenterologyinflammatory bowel diseasemedical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologymycologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsvaccines Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Thème(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF - Marie Curie Action: "International Incoming Fellowships" Appel à propositions FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF Voir d’autres projets de cet appel Régime de financement MC-IIF - International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) Coordinateur UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT Contribution de l’UE € 183 469,80 Adresse HEIDELBERGLAAN 8 3584 CS Utrecht Pays-Bas Voir sur la carte Région West-Nederland Utrecht Utrecht Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Contact administratif Jos Van Putten (Prof.) Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Coût total Aucune donnée
