Project description
In search of novel antimicrobial targets
With antimicrobial resistance posing a significant medical threat, there is a need for novel drugs that target previously unexplored and unique pathogen targets. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the KpIspE project will focus on generating novel inhibitors for the target enzyme IspE, a key factor in many pathogens like E. coli, K. pneumoniae, M. tuberculosis, and P. aeruginosa. The research will involve screening drug fragments from specialised libraries, refining potential compounds, and confirming the target's effectiveness through various methods. By inhibiting IspE, the study aims to uncover potent anti-infective agents, benefiting both patients and healthcare systems globally.
Objective
Due to the current antimicrobial resistance crisis, addressing underexplored targets to afford anti-infective compounds with novel modes of action is urgently needed. Antimicrobial resistance not only poses a threat to public health, but is a substantial cost burden on the healthcare system. This proposal focuses on the design and synthesis of novel inhibitors of the target 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol kinase (IspE). IspE catalyzes the fourth step in the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway which is essential for medically relevant pathogens (e.g. Enterobacter coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) but entirely absent in humans, making this enzyme a promising drug target. We will initially explore drug fragments through the screening of carefully constructed fragment libraries, followed by hit-to-lead optimization for promising compounds. Target confirmation will be performed using a biologically active small-molecule photo-crosslinking probe and a crystal structure of IspE obtained in complex with a promising inhibitor.
The investigation of potential for therapeutic intervention via inhibition of IspE will result in several potent inhibitors, enhancing the knowledge of this underexplored enzyme target and opening up access for further exploration of potent inhibitors. This research will greatly contribute to the discovery of novel anti-infective agents, leading to decreased morbidity and mortality in patients, economical benefits for the health care system in the European Union as well as globally.
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.
- social sciences sociology demography mortality
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine pneumology tuberculosis
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01
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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.
38124 Braunschweig
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.