Objective
Roughly 15% of couples trying to conceive suffer from subfertility. One of its leading causes is developed pathology in woman’s fallopian tubes (tubal pathology or TP). Persistent infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the single most common cause of TP. Women with a certain genetic makeup are more likely to develop TP after CT infection. I have so far identified 8 host genes and 13 genetic variants associated with CT infection and TP. Their exact function is, however, not yet elucidated. In this project, I will research the effect of found host genetic factors on CT infection and TP, by analysing their function in a human fallopian tube organoid model. This model optimally simulates in vivo conditions in the tubes. The host institution offers the technology and expertise for conducting such research.
The analysis will be achieved via RNA interference gene-silencing technology, successfully applied by the host group in their CT research for years. I will then introduce targeted mutations via CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing assay and study the effect on the course of the infection. Lastly, I will determine the network of involved gene pathways in order to explain the underlying pathogenesis.
This will be the first ever functional analysis of host factors associated with CT infection and TP in an organoid. The analyses will require learning and applying cutting-edge techniques (RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9). Also, it will be the first delivery of specific, targeted mutations into a CT-infected organoid and first such study of their effect on developing pathologies.
Achieving these objectives will facilitate the development of a novel diagnostic assay in order to address an existing health need - improving the currently suboptimal diagnosis of women at risk of CT-associated TP and reducing referrals to invasive, burdening and costly surgical examinations. I have also developed a detailed plan for disseminating the findings to experts and general public.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pathology
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics mathematical analysis functional analysis
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2016
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.