TAPAS — TArgeting Platelet Adhesion receptors in thrombosiS

Results in brief

TArgeting Platelet Adhesion receptors in thrombosiS

What is the problem/issue being addressed? Targeting Platelet Adhesion Receptors in Thrombosis (TAPAS) is a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network, European Joint Doctorate. The primary goal of TAPAS was to train a uniquely qualified cohort of 15 Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) in a highly intersectoral and multi-disciplinary programme of work tackling the problem of thrombosis (blood clots) by targeting the specialised blood cell, the platelet. Platelets are involved in the prevention of bleeding; however, their inappropriate activation can lead to thrombosis and its associated cardiovascular diseases. A thrombus can be generated either in arteries or veins. Venous thrombosis commonly happens in the legs and pelvis, and thrombi can embolise to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Arterial thrombosis causes common diseases such as stroke and heart attack. TAPAS focused on the study of platelets in both arterial and venous thrombosis. Why is it important for society? Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In 2010, thromboembolic conditions were estimated to account for 1 in 4 deaths worldwide and 1 in 3 deaths in the European Union (EU), with a cost of over €200 billion a year to the EU economy. Current anti-platelet treatments are effective in less than half of patients and are limited by bleeding side effects which can be life-threatening. With an ageing population in the EU, who are at a greater risk of thrombosis, new powerful therapeutics are needed that target thrombosis and preserve haemostasis (i.e., prevention of bleeding). TAPAS, aimed to tackle this by combining innovative approaches to identify novel molecular targets and test new reagents for prevention and treatment of thrombotic diseases. What were the overall objectives? 1. To study the molecular basis of clustering of the major platelet glycoprotein signalling receptors, focusing on CLEC-2, GPIb and GPVI. These receptors are promising targets for development of novel antiplatelet drugs that will preserve haemostasis. 2. To further define the role of glycoprotein receptors in haemostasis, thrombosis and blood vessel integrity. 3. To identify new epitopes in glycoprotein receptors for therapeutic intervention and to identify novel inhibitory compounds or biologics. 4. To train the next generation of researchers that can apply the knowledge gained in TAPAS to the development of clinically effective medicines for thrombosis and other complex diseases.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

TAPAS will position Europe at the forefront of innovative research to prevent thrombosis and thromboinflammation, and will train a uniquely-qualified cohort of ESRs in a highly intersectorial and multi-disciplinary programme that will equip them with the knowledge and transferable skills required in the broad biomedical sector. The research will focus on platelets which are small cells in the blood that play a critical role in prevention of excessive bleeding following injury (haemostasis). Activation of platelets in diseased vessels gives rise to thrombotic disorders such as heart attack and stroke, two of the major causes of morbidity and mortality. Patients at risk of thrombosis are treated with medicines that inhibit platelets for life, but many patients still undergo thrombotic episodes or encounter serious bleeds through diminished haemostasis. There is thus an urgent need for novel and safe anti-platelet medicines that powerfully target thrombosis but preserve haemostasis. In TAPAS, an original and innovative approach will be undertaken to find new ways to target thrombosis through co-operation of academic experts in distinct disciplines with key skills from the private sector. TAPAS will generate and integrate knowledge from analytical complex ‘omics’, advanced microscopy, cell biology, microfluidics, in vivo models, contemporary systems biology and high throughput screens to identify new targets for therapeutic intervention and novel lead compounds or biologics. The research skills developed in this programme are applicable to other complex diseases and represent essential training in modern day research for the next cohort of academic and private sector scientists that are able to convert complex biological understanding into new medicines. The shared knowledge and close interaction between beneficiaries and partners makes this programme ideally suited to an EJD and will deliver 15 ESRs in 21st century biomedical research.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM · BirminghamCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
ALACRIS THERANOSTICS GMBH · BerlinGermany
CELLIX LIMITED · DublinIreland
Intelligent Imaging Innovations GmbH · GöttingenGermany
LEIBNIZ-INSTITUT FUR ANALYTISCHE WISSENSCHAFTEN-ISAS-EV · DortmundGermany
Nikon Instruments EuropeNetherlands
PIVOT PARK SCREENING CENTRE BV · OssNetherlands
SEMMELWEIS EGYETEM · BudapestHungary
SVEUCILISTE U RIJECI · RijekaCroatia
THE UNIVERSITY OF READING · ReadingUnited Kingdom
UNIVERSIDAD DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA · Santiago De CompostelaSpain
UNIVERSITAETSKLINIKUM WUERZBURG - KLINIKUM DER BAYERISCHEN JULIUS-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITAT · WURZBURGGermany
UNIVERSITEIT MAASTRICHT · MaastrichtNetherlands

TAPAS · TArgeting Platelet Adhesion receptors in thrombosiS

Results in brief

TArgeting Platelet Adhesion receptors in thrombosiS

Project objective

Participants

Links