Project description
Uncovering rat flea biological factors
Vector-borne diseases affect millions worldwide, and the rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis, is a key transmitter of Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for the bubonic plague. While outbreaks continue to occur, research into flea biology remains limited. Recent findings suggest that variations in flea strains, particularly in their feeding behaviours and infection responses, may play a significant role in disease transmission. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the FACTORS project aims to uncover the biological mechanisms that allow fleas to transmit Yersinia pestis. The project will investigate the role of gut-expressed genes, flea-associated microbiota, and immune cells in flea feeding, development, and susceptibility to infection. The research will also identify novel targets for innovative vector control strategies.
Objective
Vector-borne diseases are caused by pathogens transmitted by hematophagous arthropods (vectors) and affect millions of people worldwide. The rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis, is a major vector for several pathogens, including Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of bubonic plague. Despite periodic outbreaks of this and other flea-borne diseases, research on flea biology remains neglected. Understanding the biological processes underlying flea physiology and their ability to transmit human pathogens is crucial for comprehending the dynamics of flea-borne diseases and implementing sustainable control strategies. This project aims to uncover the biological FACTORS in fleas that contribute to pathogen transmission, with a specific focus on the plague agent.
Under identical experimental conditions, different rat flea strains exhibit variations in blood feeding, colony development, and Y. pestis infection, leading to the hypothesis that strain-specific biological factors in fleas impact their physiology and the transmission of the plague agent. Through comparative studies between flea strains from regions with high or low plague prevalence, FACTORS aims to uncover the role of (1) genes expressed in the gut, (2) flea-associated microbiota, and (3) immune cells in flea feeding, development, and Y. pestis infection, all of which dictate pathogen transmission.
FACTORS will address a largely neglected area of flea biology, generating profound insights into the biological processes contributing to the dynamics of plague, while also identifying new targets for the development of innovative vector control strategies. This aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goal of promoting health and well-being. Additionally, the training in soft skills, expanded networks, and the excellence of science resulting from this fellowship will be invaluable for the applicant's career goal of becoming a distinguished scientist.
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.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology invertebrate zoology
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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-2024-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.
75654 Paris
France
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.