Menu
MapConnectionsTopicsBulgariaThe Night (K-TRIO)Marie Skłodowska-CurieFor studentsFor teachersMethodologySurprise me
H2020Doctoral network2020–2024

ONCORNET2.0 · ONCOgenic Receptor Network of Excellence and Training 2.0

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2020-02-01 → 2024-01-31
EU contribution
€4,099,782
Participants
10
Scheme
MSCA-ITN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

ONCOgenic Receptor Network of Excellence and Training 2.0

Cancer is a leading health concern. There is a need to fully understand the fundamental processes underlying development of cancer. There is increasing evidence that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and their associated signalling cascades are involved in both cancer progression and metastasis. As oncogenic GPCRs are likely to be amenable to manipulation via drugs they are ideal therapeutic targets. ONCORNET2.0 builds on the success of ONCORNET (Oncogenic GPCR Network of Excellence and Training), a first-in-kind ETN in GPCR drug discovery that has successfully delivered scientific advance and training to talented early stage researchers (ESRs). ONCORNET2.0 will incorporate recent scientific and technological advances to understand and target two oncogenic GPCRs; the chemokine receptors CXCR4 and ACKR3, formerly known as CXCR7. Both receptors are highly expressed in a range of tumours and yet their role in cancer progression is not well understood. Within ONCORNET2.0 we will develop new strategies for CXCR4/ACKR3modulation (photochemistry, nanobodies) and investigate their effects on oncogenic responses, to yield key new knowledge and potential leads for drug development and commercialisation. The key objective of this MSCA-ITN-ONCORNET2.0 initiative is to train the next generation of 15 ESRs by offering an extensive multidisciplinary training programme to ensure that they can operate in today’s drug discovery programmes. This includes both research (e.g. drug discovery, proteomics, imaging, modelling) and transferable (e.g. entrepreneurship, writing, media training) skill sets – that is rarely offered at PhD level.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Cancer is a major health burden responsible for 20% of European deaths. There is a critical need to understand its fundamental biological mechanisms. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are cell surface proteins which play an important role in regulating cellular functions integral to cancer biology and, as highly druggable proteins, oncogenic GPCRs are important therapeutic targets. ONCORNET2.0 builds on the success of ONCORNET (Oncogenic GPCR Network of Excellence and Training), a first-in-kind ETN in GPCR drug discovery that has successfully delivered scientific advance and training to talented early stage researchers (ESRs). ONCORNET2.0 will incorporate recent scientific and technological advances to understand and target two oncogenic GPCRs; the chemokine receptors CXCR4 and ACKR3. These are highly expressed in multiple tumours but their role in cancer progression remains poorly understood. We will develop new strategies for CXCR4/ACKR3 modulation (photochemistry, nanobodies) and investigate their effects on oncogenic responses, to yield key new knowledge and potential leads for drug development and commercialisation. ONCORNET2.0 will bring together the leading GPCR research groups in Europe and 15 ESRs. By leveraging on the success and experience of ONCORNET and recent ground-breaking advances in the field of GPCRs (e.g. cryo-EM, CRISPR-Cas, advanced microscopy), ONCORNET2.0 brings a young, gender-balanced team of PIs to target oncogenic GPCRs. The consortium will offer an extensive multidisciplinary training programme for ESRs ensuring their successful incorporation in today’s fast-moving drug development programmes. This programme integrates both research and transferable skill sets through blended learning. Our aim is that, through training these ESRs with interdisciplinary and intersectoral exposure, we will develop the next generation of scientists with skills that are in high demand by the drug development industries but rarely offered academically.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • STICHTING VU · AmsterdamCoordinatorNetherlands
  • CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS · ParisFrance
  • INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE · ParisFrance
  • INTERAX BIOTECH AG · SchlierenSwitzerland
  • MAX DELBRUECK CENTRUM FUER MOLEKULARE MEDIZIN IN DER HELMHOLTZ-GEMEINSCHAFT (MDC) · BerlinGermany
  • QVQ HOLDING BV · UtrechtNetherlands
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM · NottinghamUnited Kingdom
  • UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE MADRID · MadridSpain
  • UNIVERSITATSKLINIKUM JENA · JenaGermany
  • UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW · GlasgowUnited Kingdom

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union