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HEDoctoral network2022–2027

MITGEST · Quality Control of the Mitochondrial Gene Expression System in Health and Disease

Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2022-10-01 → 2027-01-31
EU contribution
€2,557,901
Participants
24
Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Quality Control of the Mitochondrial Gene Expression System in Health and Disease

The MITGEST doctoral network aims to improve our understanding of mitochondrial function and dysfunction, with a particular focus on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and its gene expression. The main goal of the project is to address the challenges associated with mitochondrial dysfunction underlying a broad spectrum of human diseases, including rare diseases, aging-related conditions and cancer. By filling the gaps in understanding the pathophysiology of mitochondrial diseases, MITGEST intends to foster innovation in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies while training the next generation of scientists through a multidisciplinary programme. The main objectives of MITGEST are: 1) to explore the quality control mechanisms of mtDNA and its expression; 2) to develop innovative methods to study and treat mitochondrial abnormalities; 3) to identify biomarkers and treatment options for mitochondrial dysfunction. This comprehensive initiative combines scientific research with transferable skills training emphasizing collaboration between academia and industry to create a sustainable and impactful research environment. MITGEST will unite world-class academic excellence in mtDNA maintenance and expression with private sector expertise in nucleic acid chemistry and the development of mitochondrial therapeutics to address this urgent need. As the first research training programme in this field to take a fully integrated approach, our 11 doctoral candidates (DCs) will elucidate how mtDNA is maintained and expressed and support the development of new methods to analyse RNA and DNA metabolism in mitochondria. These advances will complement and facilitate/enhance innovative treatment strategies and experimental medicine studies designed to mitigate mitochondrial dysfunction in a range of human diseases. Our network builds on proven collaborations and establishes new partnerships to deliver intersectoral and multidisciplinary scientific and transferable skills training to our 11 PhD students to generate the next generation of highly-skilled scientists able to exploit the latest advances in mitochondrial biology and medicine.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Mitochondria produce most of the energy the body acquires through food, and are thus pivotal players in cellular metabolism. Central to mitochondrial biology is the DNA in the organelle (mtDNA): its maintenance, correct RNA processing, and efficient translation are all essential and must be coordinated to ensure proper mitochondrial function and cellular physiology. Defective maintenance or expression of mtDNA alters energy and nutrient metabolism, which are increasingly recognized to impact medical disciplines, ranging from hundreds of genetic disorders to neurodegeneration, immunology, transmissible disease, cancer and ageing. A deep understanding of the mitochondrial gene expression system and new methods are urgently needed to develop treatments for the full panoply of mitochondrial disorders that feature mtDNA perturbation.MITGEST will unite world-class academic excellence in mtDNA maintenance and expression with private sector expertise in nucleic acid chemistry and the development of mitochondrial therapeutics to address this urgent need. As the first research training programme in this field to take a fully integrated approach, our 10 doctoral candidates (DC) will elucidate how mtDNA is maintained and expressed and support the development of new methods to analyse RNA and DNA metabolism in mitochondria. These advances will complement and facilitate/enhance innovative treatment strategies and experimental medicine studies designed to mitigate mitochondrial dysfunction in a range of human diseases. Our network of 7 beneficiaries and 12 associated partners from 8 European countries and Israel builds on proven collaborations and establishes new partnerships to deliver intersectoral and multidisciplinary scientific and transferable skills training to our 11 PhD students to generate the next generation of highly-skilled scientists able to exploit the latest advances in mitochondrial biology and medicine.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • MIEDZYNARODOWY INSTYTUT MECHANIZMOW I MASZYN MOLEKULARNYCH POLSKIEJ AKADEMII NAUK · WARSZAWACoordinatorPoland
  • 4BASEBIO SL · MadridSpain
  • ACCELOPMENT SCHWEIZ AG · ZurichSwitzerland
  • AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES ITALIA SPA · Cernusco Sul NaviglioItaly
  • ASOCIACION INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACION SANITARIA BIOGIPUZKOA · DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIANSpain
  • BASECLICK GMBH · NeuriedGermany
  • CAREERS RESEARCH AND ADVISORY CENTRE (CRAC) LIMITED (THE) · CAMBRIDGEUnited Kingdom
  • INSTYTUT BIOCHEMII I BIOFIZYKI POLSKIEJ AKADEMII NAUK · WarszawaPoland
  • INSTYTUT CHEMII BIOORGANICZNEJ POLSKIEJ AKADEMII NAUK · PoznanPoland
  • JOHANN WOLFGANG GOETHE-UNIVERSITAET FRANKFURT AM MAIN · Frankfurt Am MainGermany
  • KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET · STOCKHOLMSweden
  • LUMICKS BV · AmsterdamNetherlands
  • MINOVIA THERAPEUTICS · TIRAT HACARMELIsrael
  • MITOCON - INSIEME PER LO STUDIO E LA CURA DELLE MALATTIE MITOCONDRIALI - ODV · RomaItaly
  • Predica Diagnostics BV · NijmegenNetherlands
  • STICHTING RADBOUD UNIVERSITAIR MEDISCH CENTRUM · NijmegenNetherlands
  • STICHTING RADBOUD UNIVERSITEIT · NijmegenNetherlands
  • TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · HaifaIsrael
  • TECHNION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION LTD · HaifaIsrael
  • The Lily Foundation · WarlinghamUnited Kingdom
  • UNIVERSIDAD DEL PAIS VASCO/ EUSKAL HERRIKO UNIBERTSITATEA · LeioaSpain
  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PAVIA · PaviaItaly
  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI UDINE · UdineItaly
  • UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON · LondonUnited Kingdom

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union