Project description
Profiling the gut microbiome bacteria linked to early-onset colorectal cancer
The rates of early-onset colorectal cancer (diagnosed before age 50) have nearly doubled since the 1990s, making this disease the leading cause of cancer-related death in men – and the second leading in women – under age 50. Studies suggest certain bacterial strains in the gut microbiome may play a key role. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MutaMicrobes project aims to investigate this. Using human intestinal organoids, it will screen mutations induced by microbial genotoxins, compare them to cancer databases and study how these genotoxins drive the cancer-causing mutations. Outcomes will help identify risk early and inform preventive strategies to mitigate this growing public health threat.
Objective
The increasing incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EO-CRC) points to an unknown, possibly preventable, cause. A strong candidate is the gut microbiome. Experimental studies show certain bacterial strains can affect CRC onset, potentially by producing genotoxins that induce cancer-driving mutations. Our project aims to test this hypothesis. We have identified colibactin, a genotoxin produced by certain E. coli strains, which leaves a specific mutation pattern (SBS88) found in both healthy colon cells and in about 12% of CRC tumors. Another similar mutation pattern, SBS89, also appears to be acquired early in life, but its cause is unknown. Our two main objectives are to: Identify mutational patterns induced by microbial genotoxins by systematically screening them in human intestinal organoids and comparing the results to large cancer databases. Secondly, we aim to determine the role of these mutations in driving cancer by performing transformation screens in organoids, identifying how genotoxins can initiate cancer and lead to mutations in key driver genes. This research will help explain rising EO-CRC rates, identify individuals at risk, and guide future preventive strategies. Our team has extensive expertise in organoid research, genomic analysis, and the study of colibactin-induced mutations, making us uniquely qualified to address this critical public health issue.
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 health sciences public health
- natural sciences computer and information sciences databases
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology colorectal cancer
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology
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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)
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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.
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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
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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1011 JV AMSTERDAM
Netherlands
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