Project description
Targeting stress sensor proteins in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases
Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the overall objective of the INSPIRED project is to create an interdisciplinary network of experts to promote research and innovation in cell stress and drug development for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. A stress sensor and signal transducer known as inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) is activated by the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. The INSPIRED consortium will focus on the mechanisms of IRE1 signalling in stress response. The research will develop new IRE1 modulators with the preclinical data to support IRE1 targeting in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, project participants will be afforded the opportunity to develop new skills and technologies, which benefit their career opportunities.
Objective
The overarching objective of this Interfere to Suppress or Promote IRE1 (INSPIRED) RISE programme is to drive research and innovation in cell stress and drug development for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases by forming an interdisciplinary and intersectoral network of experts with strong, dynamic and productive interactions. The partners will work together, each bringing their unique expertise, to develop new classes of therapeutics for these common diseases. By fostering a shared culture of research, innovation and collaboration, the participants will accelerate advances in the field of cell stress responses. The staff members who participate in the programme will develop new skills, learn new technologies and be exposed to new environments which will considerably enhance their career opportunities. Advancing drug development in the stress response field has potential translational and commercial opportunities for the participants and will benefit European society as a whole from economic and health perspectives.
IRE1 is a stress sensor and signal transducer, activated in response to the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Its activation is part of a process termed the unfolded protein response (UPR) that determines the fate of cells in response to ER stress. The INSPIRED consortium will focus on understanding IRE1 signalling and its role in the stress response in order to target it in specific diseases such as cancers and neurodegenerative disorders where aberrant IRE1 signalling occurs. Research carried out by INSPIRED partners will develop new IRE1 modulators and generate preclinical data to support targeting IRE1 in cancers and neurodegenerative disease.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiology
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug discovery
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologydementiaalzheimer
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologybreast cancer
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologyamyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Keywords
Programme(s)
Coordinator
H91 Galway
Ireland