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HEDoctoral network2022–2026

DisCo-I · Discovering Collagen I degradation process in chronic diseases with fibrotic component

Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2022-09-01 → 2026-08-31
EU contribution
€1,648,915
Participants
9
Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN-ID

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Discovering Collagen I degradation process in chronic diseases with fibrotic component

DisCo-I addresses chronic diseases (CDs) with a fibrotic component, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), heart failure (HF), and liver diseases (LD), being among the leading global causes of morbidity and mortality. Fibrosis, resulting from abnormal tissue repair, plays a central role in the progression of these diseases. It is characterized by an imbalance in extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis, leading to the excessive accumulation of ECM components, particularly type I collagen (COL1). The scientific goal of DisCo-I is to improve the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in COL1 degradation in major fibrotic CDs and to investigate a disruptive hypothesis: that attenuated COL1 degradation is a key driver of fibrosis and a major contributor to the onset and progression of CDs. Through that, DisCo-I addresses the development of biomarkers and better therapeutics for major diseases affecting the EU and beyond, which may ultimately lead to reducing the disease burden. To achieve this, six doctoral candidates (DCs) have been recruited. Through multi-disciplinary and inter-sectoral training, the DCs have already produced significant scientific outputs while gaining expertise in cutting-edge technologies, clinical aspects of CDs, and industrial applications. They have participated in workshops, secondments, and collaborative research, preparing them for leadership roles in academia and industry.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Fibrosis-related chronic diseases (CDs) are amongst the biggest societal burdens in Europe, with fibrosis being recognised as the main driver of morbidity and mortality. Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a key player in fibrosis, with an excessive accumulation of type I collagen (COL1) being a predominant component of the fibrotic tissue. While the increase in COL1 production is considered a main driver of fibrosis, respective drugs had limited efficacy. New evidence indicates that attenuation of COL1 degradation is highly relevant, contributing to onset and progression of fibrosis. Ambitious early stage researchers (ESRs) will join forces within a multi-disciplinary, comprehensive and inter-sectoral doctorate training programme, embedded in an existing network of excellent research groups across Europe, to investigate the “outside-the-box idea” on impaired COL1 degradation being a key driver of fibrosis. The main scientific goal is to improve the understanding of molecular mechanisms associated with COL1 degradation in major fibrosis-related CDs, and investigate the disruptive hypothesis of attenuated COL1 degradation being the key driver of fibrosis and a major contributor to onset and progression of CDs. This will be achieved through multi-disciplinary research and training combining state-of-the-art –omics approaches and data (peptidomics, proteomics and transcriptomics) in a bioinformatics framework, followed by in- and ex-vivo investigation, complemented with ESRs training on translational skills and competences. Such a programme will train a new generation of translational researchers able to covert ideas into products, and will have a profound impact on their employability, and competitiveness. The project will progress beyond the state of the art and provide the currently missing fundamental knowledge on the molecular pathophysiology of COL1 degradation, setting up the stage for novel biomarkers and anti-fibrotic therapies.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE · ParisCoordinatorFrance
  • ETHNIKO KAI KAPODISTRIAKO PANEPISTIMIO ATHINON · ATHINAGreece
  • IDRYMA IATROVIOLOGIKON EREUNON AKADEMIAS ATHINON · AthinaGreece
  • KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET · KOBENHAVNDenmark
  • MOSAIQUES DIAGNOSTICS GMBH · HannoverGermany
  • NORDIC BIOSCIENCE A/S · HerlevDenmark
  • RD NEPHROLOGIE SAS · MontpellierFrance
  • UNIVERSITAETSKLINIKUM AACHEN · AachenGermany
  • UNIVERSITE DE TOULOUSE · ToulouseFrance

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union