| ERA4HEALTH - European partnership fostering a European Research Area (ERA) for health research |
| Duration: |
1. 11. 2022 - 30. 10. 2029 |
| Evidence number: |
101095426 |
| Program: |
Horizont Európa |
| Project leader: |
doc. MUDr. Imrich Richard, DrSc. |
| SAS cosolvers: |
Mgr. Havranová Andrea, doc. MUDr. Penesová Adela, PhD., doc. MUDr. Rádiková Žofia, PhD., MUDr. Vlček Miroslav, PhD. |
| Annotation: |
Excellent EU programs push health R&I but are not sufficient. Synergy with strategic initiatives in MS and a new model for impactful collaborations are needed to address the challenges for health. ERA4Health brings the opportunity to increase EU transnational collaborative research funding by creating a funding body for joint programming in priority areas addressing EU Public Health Needs, with total duration of 7 years. ERA4Health focuses on tackling diseases and reducing disease burden and the following challenges: 1) the increasing demand for a better quality of life and a better care of patients, 2) the need to transform public health care systems in more effective, efficient, equitable, accessible, and resilient ones and 3) the need to strengthen disease prevention and health promotion. In this view, ERA4Health objectives are: .SO1- Support relevant medical research including clinical fields and intervention areas (prevention, diagnosis, treatment) .SO2- Improve the utilisation of existing health technologies in clinical practice .SO3- Build capacity, in particular in conducting Investigator Initiated Clinical Studies at EU scale .SO4- Implement and advance the practice of RRI across the breadth of the programme ERA4Heatlth will be implemented in 2 phases: . Phase 1 (2 years) will implement joint calls focused on nutrition and lifestyle-related diseases, cardiovascular diseases and nanomedicine (4 in two years). In parallel, it will establish a supporting framework to overcome the challenges in launching international IICSs joint calls. . Phase 2, if the EC approves it: additional multinational calls for IICSs and joint calls for other priority areas will be launched in accordance with the decision of the Health Programme Committee taken at the end of previous Phase 34 partners (20 from EU, 3 Third Countries associated to HE and 2 non-associated, non EU), will commit 90,510,000€, during the 3 first years, as financial support to third parties. |
| Partner countries: |
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Turkey |
| SIGMA-1EUROPE - European Network for Sigma-1 Receptor as a Therapeutic Opportunity |
| Duration: |
25. 10. 2024 - 24. 10. 2028 |
| Evidence number: |
CA23156 |
| Program: |
COST |
| Project leader: |
RNDr. Cagalinec Michal, PhD. |
| SAS cosolvers: |
RNDr. Borecká Silvia, PhD., RNDr. Gašperíková Daniela, DrSc., RNDr. Škopková Martina, PhD., RNDr. Zahradníková, ml. Alexandra, PhD. |
| Other cosolvers: |
Institut national de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale INSER |
| Annotation: |
The sigma-1 receptor (S1R) is a ligand-regulated endoplasmic reticulum chaperone protein and a target for innovative compounds for the treatment of neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases, cancers and pain diseases. The SIGMA-1 EUROPE network will bring together disciplines and expertises across Europe to advance the exploration and identification of the role of the Sigma-1 receptor in physiology and pathologies, to design innovative S1R ligands for cellular biology and medicine, and ultimately to train young researchers and innovators to revise our views of the diseases, to think out-of-the-box and explore novel and innovativetherapeutic opportunities. |
| Partner countries: |
Austria, Belgium, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy |
| A4L_BRIDGE - Alliance4Life Bridging the Research and Innovation Gap in Life Sciences |
| Duration: |
1. 3. 2024 - 29. 2. 2028 |
| Evidence number: |
101136453 |
| Program: |
Horizont Európa |
| Project leader: |
prof. RNDr. Pastoreková Silvia, DrSc. |
| SAS cosolvers: |
Mgr. Bartíková Pavlína, PhD., RNDr. Gašperíková Daniela, DrSc., Mgr. Grman Marián, PhD., Mgr. Jendroľová Lucia, Ing. Karhánek Miloslav, PhD., RNDr. Klempa Boris, DrSc., MVDr. Kopáček Juraj, DrSc., RNDr. Lopušná Katarína, PhD., Mgr. Rybárová Ela, Mgr. Sabo Miroslav, PhD., Mgr. Štibrániová Iveta, PhD., MUDr. Vlček Miroslav, PhD. |
| Annotation: |
The persisting R&I gap between Western and Eastern Europe is a major challenge to the EU. It includes under-developed R&I ecosystems, a lower ability to attract and retain talents, single-track research careers with a lack of modern HR, and fragmented industry-academia collaboration. To improve the situation in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Alliance for Life Sciences (Alliance4Life) was formed by 12 progressive health research institutions and universities in 11 CEE countries. Since 2018 it has become a lively community and role model of modern institutional governance and excellent research in CEE, piloted strategic institutional reforms, and succeeded in influencing national R&I reforms and EU policy. With the A4L_BRIDGE project, the alliance focuses on a broader implementation of the successfully piloted strategic changes toward enhanced attractiveness, competitiveness, and innovation strength, and newly also addresses excellence in higher education. The scientific collaboration will be boosted by a Virtual Research Centre, connecting different research groups, and thanks to seed funding, initial research projects with IP originating in CEE will be prepared to be developed into RIA projects for Horizon Europe. The alliance will develop a complex educational matrix, including mentoring, e-learning, and international internships, targeting both academic and non-academic staff in all career stages. The Industry Relationship Platform will stimulate knowledge transfer and partaking in applied research projects. Societal actors will be invited to shape the research agendas and will be addressed at events for end users of health research results. Events, webinars, and dissemination activities will target national stakeholders and policymakers, promoting ERA values and supporting the empowering of low-performing regions in their R&I upscale. The A4L_BRIDGE project will thus significantly contribute to bridging the gap in R&I performance in the EU. |
| Partner countries: |
Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovenia |
| Project website: |
https://alliance4life.ceitec.cz |
| ATHEM-03-GEN - Genomic instability in cells from persons exposed to RF from base stations |
| Duration: |
8. 9. 2021 - 31. 12. 2027 |
| Evidence number: |
5916145 |
| Program: |
Iné |
| Project leader: |
doc. Ing. Beliaev Igor, DrSc. |
| SAS cosolvers: |
Mgr. Durdík Matúš, PhD., Gulati Sachin, PhD., Mgr. Jakl Lukáš, PhD., Mgr. Kochanová Dominika, PhD., Mgr. Košík Pavol, PhD., RNDr. Marková Eva, CSc., RNDr. Škorvaga Milan, CSc., Mgr. Vigašová Katarína, PhD. |
| Other cosolvers: |
RA Tilo Rosier, Monika Krout, Tim Krout, Roman Schilling, Dietrich Moldan |
| Annotation: |
The blood samples from persons exposed to radiofrequency radiation (RF) from base stations will be analyzed for DNA damage and genetic instability using comprehensive techniques and endpoints including oxidative damage, comet assay, chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei assay, preleukemic gene fusions. The data will be correlated with RF exposures provided by the German partner. |
| Partner countries: |
Austria, Germany, Slovakia |
| ZOE - Zoonoses Emergence across Degraded and Restored Forest Ecosystems |
| Duration: |
1. 1. 2024 - 31. 12. 2027 |
| Evidence number: |
101135094 |
| Program: |
Horizont Európa |
| Project leader: |
RNDr. Klempa Boris, DrSc. |
| Annotation: |
Ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss may facilitate the emergence of zoonotic diseases. The 4-year ZOE project will analyze the links between landcover and land use changes in tropical biodiversity hot-spots facing loss of primary forest and biodiversity and in temperate regions that have undergone ecosystem degradation and deforestation over historical timescales. In areas experiencing different levels of ecosystem degradation, biodiversity assessments will be based on remote sensing-based GIS analysis of landscape structures, geobotanic plant mapping, and targeted trapping of rodents, ticks, and mosquitoes, as prototypic reservoirs and vectors of zoonotic diseases (macro-organism scale). Host and soil-associated microbiome and virome high-throughput sequencing will be combined with assessment of human exposure to prototypic zoonotic pathogens, using high-throughput serological analyses (microbiological scale). ZOE will link with local communities and stakeholders to address perceived land use and land cover changes, disease occurrence, coping strategies, and risk behaviour. Results will be synthesized in modelling and risk mapping frameworks linking biodiversity loss and zoonotic disease risks and tested in forecasting scenarios to feed into cost-efficient monitoring schemes and early warning systems. An online knowledge platform will be created to link all relevant stakeholders of the biodiversity-health nexus, including other EU-funded consortia, national and supranational organizations stakeholders, local communities, and the public. A joint stakeholder conference will be organized, and community engagement workshops will specifically co-create and advance knowledge in local communities involved in ZOE. The ZOE project is proposed by an interdisciplinary consortium with expertise in geography, geobotanics, ecology, virology, immunology, epidemiology, sociology, psychology, anthropology and science dissemination from 7 EU and 4 American countries. |
| Partner countries: |
Austria, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Guatemala, Mexico, Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, United States |
| Project website: |
https://www.zoe-project.eu/ |
| WIMANET - Wildlife Malaria Network |
| Duration: |
28. 9. 2023 - 27. 9. 2027 |
| Evidence number: |
CA22108 |
| Program: |
COST |
| Project leader: |
RNDr. Minichová Lenka, PhD. |
| Annotation: |
Vector-borne diseases, and emerging infectious diseases of wildlife, are major contributors to the global disease burden and of increasing concern globally. Haemosporidian parasites are ubiquitous in nature, hugely diverse, and associated with morbidity and mortality across taxa, including humans, livestock and wildlife. Many research groups globally focus on these parasites as model systems for addressing a broad range of ecological and evolutionary questions with economic and health implications. This Action will bring together individuals and research groups to focus on coordinating research objectives to which multiple groups can contribute existing datasets, meaning that questions can be addressed at a global, rather than a local or regional, scale. Ornithologists, mammologists and herpetologists have a long history of investigating haemosporidian parasites in natural populations; these studies have provided insights into host-parasite associations, parasite geographic distributions, host-switching and the context-dependence of host-parasite relationships, alongside pathogenic impacts and conservation implications of haemosporidian infections. Increasingly, research groups are investigating the vectors of these parasites, and utilising novel genetic techniques to understand parasite gene expression, among many other examples. Coordinating and sharing research efforts between groups offers huge potential for large-scale collaborative research initiatives. This Action will promote the development of a common research agenda by providing opportunities for training, collaboration and knowledge exchange, targeting diverse researchers across disciplines to foster an interdisciplinary approach, whilst also recruiting and supporting a diversity of new researchers. The Action will target stakeholders, policymakers and the general public to endorse knowledge transfer and maximise the reach of the network. |
| Project website: |
https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA22108/#tabs+Name:Description |
| REACH - Reversing Epitranscriptomic Alterations for CHemosensitization of Pancreatic Cancer |
| Duration: |
1. 9. 2024 - 31. 8. 2027 |
| Evidence number: |
TRANSCAN-3/2023/977.C/REACH |
| Program: |
ERANET |
| Project leader: |
Mgr. Smolková Božena, PhD. |
| SAS cosolvers: |
Mgr. Buociková Verona, PhD., Ing. Buríková Monika, PhD., MUDr. Dubovan Peter, RNDr. Horváthová Kajabová Viera, PhD., prof. MUDr. Mego Michal, DrSc., RNDr. Pacalajová Mária, PhD., doc. Mgr. Šoltýsová Andrea, PhD., MUDr. Tomáš Miroslav, PhD. |
| Partner countries: |
Germany, Latvia, Spain |
| ADDIT-CE - Alzheimer\'s Disease Diagnostics Innovation and Translation to Clinical Practice in Central Europe |
| Duration: |
1. 1. 2023 - 31. 12. 2026 |
| Evidence number: |
101087124 |
| Program: |
Horizont Európa |
| Project leader: |
prof. MUDr. Ukropcová Barbara, PhD. |
| SAS cosolvers: |
Mgr. Kurdiová Timea, PhD., Mgr. Ukropec Jozef, DrSc., doc. MVDr. Žilka Norbert, DrSc. |
| Other cosolvers: |
Centrum Memory |
| Annotation: |
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects millions of individuals worldwide, and currently there are no effective disease-modifying therapies. Prompt AD diagnosis is beneficial with respect to care and delay of disease progression. However, the implementation of modern AD diagnostics in clinical practice in Czechia and Slovakia is fragmented. To address this, the EU-funded ADDIT-CE project will support the cooperation between academia, business, government and civil society. The partnership is expected to strengthen research and innovation in the field of AD diagnostics and introduce novel technologies into AD clinical management. ADDIT-CE will help design a national plan for combatting dementia and establish a functional innovation ecosystem that will revolutionise diagnostic approaches and continue to serve society even after the project’s completion. |
| Partner countries: |
Czech Republic |
| Project website: |
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101087124 |
| RESIST-D - Reward-stress interactions as neurobiological substrate for resilience and vulnerability in mental health and depression: A translational large-scale project |
| Duration: |
1. 1. 2024 - 31. 12. 2026 |
| Evidence number: |
NEURON_RV-114 |
| Program: |
ERANET |
| Project leader: |
RNDr. Hlaváčová Nataša, PhD. |
| SAS cosolvers: |
RNDr. Graban Ján, PhD., prof. PharmDr. Ježová Daniela, DrSc., RNDr. Karailiev Peter, PhD., RNDr. Karailievová Lucia, PhD., Mgr. Nagyová Anabela, RNDr. Puhová Agneša, PhD., Mgr. Reinerová Mária, PharmDr. Romanová Zuzana, PhD., MUDr. Vančová Annamária |
| Partner countries: |
France, Germany, Ireland, Romania |
| IMMUNO-model - Modelling immunotherapy response and toxicity in cancer |
| Duration: |
2. 11. 2022 - 1. 11. 2026 |
| Evidence number: |
CA21135 |
| Program: |
COST |
| Project leader: |
Mgr. Smolková Božena, PhD. |
| Other cosolvers: |
1. Medical Unive |
| Annotation: |
The IMMUNO-model COST Action aims to foster research and innovation in the field of preclinical immuno-oncology models with the ultimate goal of advancing in the treatment of cancer patients by improving their outcomes and quality of life. The unprecedented change that immunotherapy has represented in the treatment of cancer is best illustrated by the spectacular results obtained in previously incurable malignancies, such as metastatic melanoma. However, the widespread use of these therapies has been hindered by their limited effectiveness and associated toxicities. A better understanding on the complex interactions between tumor cells and the immune system is strictly required to address these problems, and to develop more effective and safer immunotherapies. However, one of the most important obstacles in immuno-oncology research is the scarcity of preclinical models that faithfully recapitulate human immunity and contribute to identify novel therapeutic targets, characterize biomarkers of therapeutic response and toxicity, and generate reliable data on drug synergies. IMMUNO-model will bring together European researchers from diverse sectors (academia, clinical, industry) with the common goal of establishing a Network that endorses immuno-oncology research by specifically promoting the sharing, standardization and application of immunotherapy preclinical models. |
| Project website: |
https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA21135/ |
| PRAGMATICK - Prevention, anticipation and mitigation of tick-borne disease risk applying the DAMA protocol |
| Duration: |
18. 10. 2022 - 17. 10. 2026 |
| Evidence number: |
CA21170 |
| Program: |
COST |
| Project leader: |
RNDr. Minichová Lenka, PhD. |
| SAS cosolvers: |
Mgr. Špitalská Eva, PhD. |
| Annotation: |
Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) represent a national security threat for every country, exacerbated by climate change, human population expansion, urbanization, and globalization. Based on theoretical expectations previously EIDs were thought to be rare and impossible to anticipate because they require novel genetic mutations to infect novel hosts. A new conceptual framework has been developing for nearly 40 years and has recently been articulated in a manner that leads directly to a protocol for taking proactive or anticipatory steps in coping with EIDs, especially those numerous high probability/low impact pathogens. The framework is called the Stockholm paradigm, which shows that a major trigger of emerging disease, now and in the past, has been climate change. The PRAGMATICK COST action aims to disseminate knowledge and promote the application of the Stockholm paradigm in order to anticipate and mitigate disease risk associated with the presence and spread of ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) under anthropogenic pressure and changing climate. This research network will apply the comprehensive and highly focused DAMA (Document, Assess, Monitor, Act) protocol that allows to “anticipate to mitigate” emerging diseases. The main focus is on urban tick and TBP hotspots and the spread and establishment of ticks and TBPs. PRAGMATICK will find new ticks and tick-borne pathogens before they find us. By applying citizen science and supporting capacity building in the domain of tick and tick-borne disease prevention, the Action will eventually lead to new and improved insights in the potential threats related to this important group of vectors across Europe. |
| Project website: |
https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA21170/#tabs+Name:Description |
| PRAGMATICK - Prevention, anticipation and mitigation of tick-borne disease risk applying the DAMA protocol |
| Duration: |
18. 10. 2022 - 17. 10. 2026 |
| Evidence number: |
CA 21170 |
| Program: |
COST |
| Project leader: |
Mgr. Špitalská Eva, PhD. |
| Annotation: |
Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) represent a national security threat for every country, exacerbated by climate change, human population expansion, urbanization, and globalization. Based on theoretical expectations previously EIDs were thought to be rare and impossible to anticipate because they require novel genetic mutations to infect novel hosts. A new conceptual framework has been developing for nearly 40 years and has recently been articulated in a manner that leads directly to a protocol for taking proactive or anticipatory steps in coping with EIDs, especially those numerous high probability/low impact pathogens. The framework is called the Stockholm paradigm, which shows that a major trigger of emerging disease, now and in the past, has been climate change. The PRAGMATICK COST action aims to disseminate knowledge and promote the application of the Stockholm paradigm in order to anticipate and mitigate disease risk associated with the presence and spread of ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) under anthropogenic pressure and changing climate. This research network will apply the comprehensive and highly focused DAMA (Document, Assess, Monitor, Act) protocol that allows to “anticipate to mitigate” emerging diseases. The main focus is on urban tick and TBP hotspots and the spread and establishment of ticks and TBPs. PRAGMATICK will find new ticks and tick-borne pathogens before they find us. By applying citizen science and supporting capacity building in the domain of tick and tick-borne disease prevention, the Action will eventually lead to new and improved insights in the potential threats related to this important group of vectors across Europe. |
| TRANSPAN - Identification of biological markers for prevention and translational medicine in pancreatic cancer |
| Duration: |
11. 10. 2022 - 10. 10. 2026 |
| Evidence number: |
CA21116 |
| Program: |
COST |
| Project leader: |
Mgr. Smolková Božena, PhD. |
| Other cosolvers: |
1. Un |
| Annotation: |
Pancreatic cancer (PC) has a high mortality rate and is projected to become a massive public health problem in Europe. This Action will boost research on prevention of PC, particularly in the discovery of genetic risk factors, risk stratification, identification of biomarkers for early detection and patient monitoring, elucidation of biological mechanisms and functional pharmacogenomics for personalized medicine. These aims will be attained by expanding an existing interdisciplinary network.The Action will be organized in the following working groups:• Disease risk profiling. This WG will use germline genetic variants, epigenetics, transcriptomics and environmental factors to model disease risk and apply risk stratification scores to better select individuals eligible to be screened for PC or its precursors.• Non-invasive biomarkers. This WG will apply state-of-the-art liquid biopsies for the detection and characterization of circulating tumor cells and DNA, tumor-derived exosomes, tumor-educated platelets, epigenetic markers, and will test their diagnostic value for PC precursors and early-stage PC.• Tumor profiling. Genomic, epigenomic and transcriptional profiling of PC and its precursors in a multiregional analysis fashion will be used to identify novel biomarkers with prognosis and predictive value for PC patient stratification.• Functional genomics and therapy. This WG will functionally validate candidate genetic variants from germline or tumor studies by using cutting-edge approaches such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. It will also generate novel approaches such as organoids / zebrafish avatars to implement (chemo)therapeutic strategies based on the patient in an effort to implement personalized medicine for PC. |
| Partner countries: |
Slovakia |
| Project website: |
https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA21116/ |
| DYNALIFE - Information, Coding, and Biological Function: the Dynamics of Life |
| Duration: |
2. 10. 2023 - 18. 9. 2026 |
| Evidence number: |
CA21169 |
| Program: |
COST |
| Project leader: |
RNDr. Farkaš Robert, CSc. |
| SAS cosolvers: |
Bardačová Magdaléna, Mgr. Beňo Milan, PhD., Mgr. Beňová Liszeková Denisa, PhD. |
| Annotation: |
The previous and current work of our group focuses on the mechanistic aspects of apocrine secretion (AS), a novel and previously incorrectly described type of non-canonical and non-vesicular transport and secretory mechanism. We discovered AS by serendipity in salivary glands of Drosophila, a well defined genetic model organism. Our long-term goal is to decipher molecular and genetic aspects of AS using tools so uniquely available in the fruitfly. As we already found, AS is phylogenetically conserved, and it is present in all eukaryotic metazoans, including human. In addition, AS is implicated also in at least two dozen of human disorders. Material released by AS is considerably enriched in proteins (proteomics identified >1500 entities), and this liquid “soup” contains highly viable or zymogen-like dormant proteins capable of immediate activation upon challenge. All these aspects make phenomenon of apocrine secretion very dynamic biological system. Currently, we are the only research group in the world that deals with elementary molecular-genetic and structural aspects of apocrine secretion per se. |
| Genome Editing to Treat Humans Diseases |
| Duration: |
15. 9. 2022 - 14. 9. 2026 |
| Evidence number: |
CA21113 |
| Program: |
COST |
| Project leader: |
prof. PharmDr. Ježová Daniela, DrSc. |
| SAS cosolvers: |
MMedSc. Dremencov Eliyahu, DrSc., RNDr. Graban Ján, PhD., RNDr. Hlaváčová Nataša, PhD., PharmDr. Hrivíková Katarína, PhD., MUDr. Kapsdorfer Daniela, PhD., RNDr. Karailiev Peter, PhD., RNDr. Karailievová Lucia, PhD., Mgr. Oravcová Henrieta, PhD., RNDr. Puhová Agneša, PhD., PharmDr. Romanová Zuzana, PhD. |
| Partner countries: |
Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland |
| Role of the CA IX ectodomain in tumor growth and metastasis |
| Duration: |
11. 11. 2014 - 31. 12. 2025 |
| Evidence number: |
|
| Program: |
Iné |
| Project leader: |
prof. RNDr. Pastoreková Silvia, DrSc. |
| Annotation: |
This project is aimed at understanding the role of the CA IX ECD in tumor growth and metastasis in vivo using mouse models. We intend to evaluate growth of tumor xenografts (following subcutaneous implantation of tumor cells) and colonization of lungs (following injection of tumor cells into the tail vein) in absence and presence of the recombinant CA IX ECD. In addition, we plan to evaluate potential therapeutic targeting of CA IX ECD through analysis of the anticancer effect of antibodies binding to different regions of the ectodomain, including M75 and VII/20. Particularly M75 is of great interest, because the N-terminal PG region, to which M75 binds, was recently found to be involved in cell adhesion and spreading, the processes contributing to metastatic dissemination. On the other hand, MAb VII/20 binds to the central CA catalytic domain and was previously shown to reduce the growth of primary tumors, but its effect on metastasis has not been examined so far.Thus, we expect that the project will allow us to dissect the role of ECD in metastasis and propose antibody-based therapeutic strategies to reduce metastatic growth. |
| A4L_BRIDGE Expression of immune genes in human skin non-immune cells affected by TBEV infection |
| Duration: |
1. 11. 2024 - 31. 10. 2025 |
| Evidence number: |
A4L_BRIDGE Open Access call 2024 |
| Program: |
Iné |
| Project leader: |
Mgr. Štibrániová Iveta, PhD. |
| Annotation: |
The tick, host and pathogen form an interactive triangle in which the host\'s skin is the site of first contact. Despite its effective barrier function, the skin is still the main entry point for most tick-borne pathogens, including tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). TBEV enters the skin through the saliva of infected ticks during feeding. TBEV targets resident skin cells, resulting in an antiviral response activated by viral RNA. Through immunomodulation, tick saliva promotes TBEV replication at the tick feeding site. One of the most abundant non-immune cells of the skin - keratinocytes - not only represent a potential reservoir of TBEV, but are also capable of eliciting an immune response to TBEV that may influence its distribution to target organs. Skin keratinocytes will be treated with TBEV (Hypr) or salivary gland extracts (SGE) from uninfected and TBEV (Hypr) infected ticks of two species, Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus. Using mRNA-seq, we want to identify the expression of genes associated with innate antiviral responses of TBEV-infected human skin keratinocytes and to elucidate the potential influence of bioactive compounds in the SGE of TBEV-infected ticks on this expression. Transcriptional profiling of SGE-treated cells from TBEV-free ticks compared to TBEV-infected SGE-treated cells, obtained within this study would also provide a comprehensive picture of how tick feeding affects the local environment over time. |
| Partner countries: |
Czech Republic |
| A4L_BRIDGE Identification of TGF-β 1 binding molecule(s) in saliva of adult ticks Dermacentor reticulatus |
| Duration: |
1. 11. 2024 - 31. 10. 2025 |
| Evidence number: |
A4L_BRIDGE Open Access call 2024 |
| Program: |
Iné |
| Project leader: |
Mgr. Bartíková Pavlína, PhD. |
| Annotation: |
Ticks are successful vectors of the broadest spectrum of pathogens due to their unique features – hematophagy, extended feeding periods (up to weeks), prolonged life-span and complex development, and blood digestion within midgut cells. Their parasitic lifestyle resulted in development of a broad spectrum of evasive and disarming mechanisms of host defense reactions. Tick saliva is a mixture of proteins, peptides and non-peptide molecules that interfere with various components of hemostasis, wound healing, and host immune system. Additionally, some of these bioactive molecules have a promising therapeutic perspective to cure some human diseases associated with dysregulation of specific cytokines/growth factors and alterations in their signaling pathways. According to the ability of tick saliva to bind a human growth factor TGF-β1, in a previous project we tried to identify these molecule(s) using a pull-down purification with coupled biotinylated TGF-β1 followed by LC-MS (timsTOF Pro) analyses. However, purified samples were still very rich on protein content, up to 967 (female ticks) or 617 protein groups (male ticks), respectively. Thus, combination of these two methods was not very effective and the identification of TGF-β1 binding molecule(s) is still undergoing. Prior LC-MS/MS analyses, we plan to combine more purification methods (NGC chromatography, IEF-PAGE and Western-blot) to reduce the number of protein groups in samples. |
| Partner countries: |
Czech Republic |
| Identification of lncRNA Biomarkers for Metastatic Potential in Colorectal Cancer through RNA Expression Profiling |
| Duration: |
1. 11. 2024 - 31. 10. 2025 |
| Evidence number: |
Aliance4Life -Bridge 101136453 |
| Program: |
Iné |
| Project leader: |
Ing. Poturnajová Martina, PhD. |
| Other cosolvers: |
Antonela Blazekovič, Filip Sedlič, Fakulta medicíny, Zagreb |
| Annotation: |
Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents almost 10% of the global cancer cases. One of the primary clinical needs in confirmed CRC diagnosis is to find a biomarker sensitive to tumour cell dissemination and metastatic spreading and prediction of early relapse and disease progression after primary tumour removal. |
| Partner countries: |
Croatia |
| ProteoCure - A sound proteome for a sound body: targeting proteolysis for proteome remodeling |
| Duration: |
1. 11. 2023 - 6. 10. 2025 |
| Evidence number: |
CA20113 |
| Program: |
COST |
| Project leader: |
RNDr. Farkaš Robert, CSc. |
| SAS cosolvers: |
Bardačová Magdaléna, Mgr. Beňo Milan, PhD., Mgr. Beňová Liszeková Denisa, PhD. |
| Annotation: |
Our work focuses on the mechanistic aspects of apocrine secretion (AS), a novel and previously incorrectly described type of non-canonical and non-vesicular transport and secretory mechanism. As we discovered apocrine secretion in Drosophila, well defined genetic model organism, we are pursuing research aimed at deciphering its molecular and genetic aspects using tools so uniquely available in the fruitfly. AS is evolutionarily conserved, and can be found in all eukaryotic metazoans. Material released by apocrine secretion is considerably enriched in proteins (>1500 entities), and this liquid soup contains highly viable or zymogen-like dormant proteins capable of immediate activation upon challenge. Numerous of these proteins are proteases and their regulators/inhibitors. The main function we described for this secretion is a first defense line in immune response, where these proteases become rapidly activated in action against microorganisms or other antigens. Moreover, AS is implicated also in at least two dozen of human disorders. |
| VACCELERATE - VACCELERATE - European Corona Vaccine Trial Accelerator Platform |
| Duration: |
28. 1. 2021 - 27. 1. 2025 |
| Evidence number: |
H2020-IBA-SC1-CORONAVIRUS-2020-4-ID: 101037867 |
| Program: |
Horizont 2020 |
| Project leader: |
prof. RNDr. Pastoreková Silvia, DrSc. |
| SAS cosolvers: |
RNDr. Klempa Boris, DrSc., Mgr. Šipošová Tatiana |
| Annotation: |
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for concerted efforts towards vaccine development in Europe. The EU-funded VACCELERATE project creates a platform connecting all European vaccine development stakeholders. VACCELERATE maps clinical trial and laboratory sites across Europe and identifies the best locations for conducting Phase 2 and 3 vaccine trials. A Volunteer Registry provides access to trial participants. The network coordinates laboratory support and provides standardised assays and trial protocols. VACCELERATE identifies and shares emerging public health questions, provides answers through its own clinical trials, and lends expertise and tangible support to vaccine developers from industry and academia. With these efforts, VACCELERATE partners are creating a network ready to face emerging pandemics and enhance vaccine development capacity in Europe. |
| Partner countries: |
Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey |
| Project website: |
https://vaccelerate.eu |
