Project description
Targeting bacterial infections in cystic fibrosis with nanobodies
Cystic fibrosis (CF) severely affects the lungs, specifically by causing thick mucus that traps bacteria and leads to persistent infections. These infections are difficult to treat and often worsen over time, causing significant health complications. With around 105 000 people worldwide suffering from CF, the disease dramatically impacts quality of life despite advances in treatment. Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) are the main bacteria responsible for these chronic infections. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the CF.Nbs.PA-SA project aims to develop new therapies using nanobodies (small, powerful proteins) that can target and neutralise SA and PA. This approach offers a promising solution to improve treatment and help CF patients live better, healthier lives.
Objective
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder, impacting various organs due to CFTR gene mutations. Lungs are severely affected by secretions, harboring bacteria, causing recurrent, chronic, and often fatal infections in 90% of CF patients. Globally, around 105,000 people across 94 countries suffer from CF, with an improved median survival age of 30 to 40 years, yet poor quality of life persists due to daily treatment needs.
Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) are the primary pathogens isolated from CF patients' respiratory tracts, leading to most CF-related deaths. Their factors of virulence contributes to extensive damage, and despite intensive treatments, infections persist, fostering antimicrobial resistance. Antibiotic resistance claims over 35,000 lives yearly in the EU alone, underscoring the urgent need for novel therapeutics to combat SA and PA infections.
Nanobodies (Nbs) offer revolutionary immunotherapy potential due to their unique attributes. They are ten times smaller than conventional antibodies, maintaining strong recognition capability at nanomolar levels. Nbs exhibit low immunogenicity, rapid tissue penetration, and can target previously inaccessible antigen sites. Their small size provides enhanced stability, thermal resistance, reversibility of unfolding, proteolytic resistance, and high solubility.
Given the prevalence and severe consequences of SA and PA infections, the central aim of the project is to develop therapeutic Nbs to mitigate the impact of these infections and improve the quality of life for CF patients.
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 microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
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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)
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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-2023-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.
28029 Madrid
Spain
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.