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H2020Doctoral network2021–2025

EndoConnect · EU Training Network in understanding the molecular regulation and the role of endo-lysosomal processes in cardio-metabolic diseases

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2021-01-01 → 2025-03-31
EU contribution
€4,050,849
Participants
12
Scheme
MSCA-ITN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners. CORDIS does not always give exact coordinates for projects before 2014. These points are placed at city or country level.

Results in brief

EU Training Network in understanding the molecular regulation and the role of endo-lysosomal processes in cardio-metabolic diseases

The EndoConnect consortium successfully generated novel insights into the molecular regulation of the endo-lysosomal system and its involvement in metabolic pathways, including glucose and lipid metabolism. Disruptions in these pathways are known to contribute to cardio-metabolic diseases and elevate the risk of various cancers as liver cancer. These scientific advances were made possible through a highly interdisciplinary approach, bringing together diverse research fields and expertise. The results of the individual ESR projects established a solid scientific foundation for future research and collaboration among the host institutions. These findings not only enhance our understanding of the molecular regulation of the endo-lysosomal system but also enable the consortium to pursue new research initiatives and funding opportunities. Beyond scientific achievements, EndoConnect successfully trained a cohort of highly skilled ESRs, equipping them with the expertise and professional competencies needed to prosper in both academic and industrial settings. The ESRs actively managed their research projects, conducted molecular, cellular, and metabolic experiments, established collaborative networks, and played key roles in organizing a successful final symposium with scientists from different international labs. All ESRs are now well-positioned to defend their PhD theses and take the next step in their careers. Several will continue in academia as postdoctoral researchers, while others will pursue opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry. EndoConnect not only advanced science but also fostered the development of the next generation of leading researchers.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The endo-lysosomal system is essential to acquire lipids and nutrients according to the need of the cell and, subsequently, to maintain metabolic homeostasis. The strong connection between the endo-lysosomal system and metabolism is reflected in the observations that defects in this system are correlated with cardio-metabolic disorders, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The molecular mechanisms that interconnect the endo-lysosomal system with metabolism are, however, poorly understood. This can be largely explained by the fact that (1) endo-lysosomal and metabolic research are carried out independent of each other and (2) the number of model systems to study endo-lysosomal processes at an organismal and clinical level are limited. It is the ambition of EndoConnect to change this by bringing top scientists and industrial partners together to train early stage researchers in interdisciplinary research, with the focus on translating key findings from cellular and animal models to patients with cardio-metabolic diseases. It is our mission to: (1) understand the molecular organization and regulation of endo-lysosomal processes, (2) elucidate how metabolism and endo-lysosomal processes are intertwined, (3) understand how defects in the endo-lysosomal system contribute to the development of cardio-metabolic diseases and, finally, (4) how the endo-lysosomal system contributes to the efficiency of therapeutics. EndoConnect will provide an international training program for early stage researchers to acquire knowledge and state-of-the-art scientific, technical, and transferable skills to connect molecular and cell biology research with physiology and biomedical research towards translation. We expect that EndoConnect will increase our understanding of the molecular interrelation of the endo-lysosomal system with cardio-metabolic diseases, which will pave the road for novel diagnostics and therapeutics.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • ACADEMISCH ZIEKENHUIS GRONINGEN · GroningenCoordinatorNetherlands
  • ASTRAZENECA UK LIMITED · CAMBRIDGEUnited Kingdom
  • FUNDACIO DE RECERCA CLINIC BARCELONA-INSTITUT D INVESTIGACIONS BIOMEDIQUES AUGUST PI I SUNYER · BarcelonaSpain
  • HELMHOLTZ ZENTRUM MUENCHEN DEUTSCHES FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM FUER GESUNDHEIT UND UMWELT GMBH · NeuherbergGermany
  • HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO · HelsinkiFinland
  • INTERNA TECHNOLOGIES BV · NijmegenNetherlands
  • NEBION AG · ZURICHCity levelSwitzerland
  • STICHTING AMSTERDAM UMC · AmsterdamNetherlands
  • UNIVERSITAETSKLINIKUM HAMBURG-EPPENDORF · HamburgGermany
  • UNIVERSITAIR MEDISCH CENTRUM UTRECHT · UtrechtNetherlands
  • UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT · UtrechtNetherlands
  • UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL · BRISTOLUnited Kingdom

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union