Fp7: Energy (Finland)

Contact

Prof. Michael Brown

[e-mail]

FP7: Health (UK, 16.03.)

Funding Source/Programme

HEALTH-2007-2.3.1-1: Novel targets for drugs against Gram negative bacteria

Description

Which of the following topics is most relevant to your proposal?

√ major diseases and infectious diseases

Proposal Title

Polyphosphate kinase (PPK) as a novel target for chemotherapy against Gram-negative bacteria

Objectives of the proposal

In general to study if anti-PPK drugs handicap Gram-negative pathogens in vivo.  ICOS is a pharmaceutical company that has active compounds from a screen against PPK and tested against Gram-negative pathogens.  These compounds have been made available to this project.  The project will study the survival of PPK null-mutants of several Gram-negative pathogens (gifts from Dr. Arthur Kornberg) and their wild types. 

In the first instance we will study E. coli and P. aeruginosa:-

a) in human serum and also in a protozoal model of infection and in the presence and absence of conventional antibiotic s.

b) in the presence of novel anti-PPK drugs in combination with/without conventional antibiotics in lab media, effects in human serum and c) in a protozoal infection model.  Depending on results, animal studies will follow.

Relevance to the call

The proposal addresses the call topic by focusing on a scientific problem which is of high relevance to the EU community.

It is likely that polyphosphate kinase (PPK) is a novel target with application virtually to all Gram-negative bacteria.  They all have PPK.  Furthermore PPK does not occur in animals / humans adding to its attraction as a target.

Type of partnership

Collaborative Project: (Small or medium sized project). The University wishes to be a partner.

Scientific and Technological Excellence

Inorganic polyphosphate (poly P) was long neglected as a ‘metabolic fossil’, even though present in all organisms.  There is now much evidence that it plays crucial roles in metabolism, in pathogenicity and especially in all survival mechanisms in Gram-negative (and at least some Gram-positive) bacteria.  The main enzyme synthesising inorganic polyphosphate is polyphosphate kinase (PPK), conserved in numerous pathogens; mostly studied in Gram-negative bacteria.  This crucial enzyme (but not poly P itself) is absent from higher organisms and consequently is likely an excellent novel target for drug therapy against bacteria.  The project will study the survival of PPK null-mutants of several pathogens and their wild type (a) in human serum and also in a protozoal model of infection and in the presence and absence of conventional antibiotics; (b) the effects of novel anti-PPK drugs in combination with/without conventional antibiotics in lab media and also in human serum and (c) the effects of novel anti-PPK drugs in combination with/without conventional antibiotics in a protozoal infection model.  Depending on results, animal studies will follow.  This proposal is based partly on work carried out by Prof. Brown at the lab of Dr Arthur Kornberg at Stanford Medical School. 

Impact

The project will address the issue of the importance of polyphosphate kinase in survival of Gram-negative organisms grown in laboratory media, in serum and within protozoa and with / without conventional antibiotics.  Specifically anti-PPK novel compounds will also be tested in these systems in combination with conventional antibiotics.

Contact

Prof. Michael Brown

[e-mail]

FP7: Regions of Knowledge (Switzerland, 19.03.)

Funding Source/Programme

Call for Proposals Regions of Knowledge FP7-REGIONS-2007-1

Description

Expression of Interest: Institute for Sustainable Development (ine-ZHW)

The Institute for Sustainable Development (ine-ZHW) at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences Winterthur, Switzerland has been involved in the REFORM project www.re4m.eu in Regions of Knowledge 2 from 2005 to 2007. We have a strong interest to continue to work for the new programme and are looking forward for other suitable participations in FP7-REGIONS-2007-1.

Main interest is in call 1 Regions of Knowledge “Analysis, mentoring and integration of research actors” with the two topics a) bringing the benefits of research to SMEs or b) research and rural economies including economies undergoing structural changes.

Region to be involved under topic a) Zurich: The Canton of Zurich has a complete research driven infrastructure with the Federal Institute of Technology, several universities, private and public R+D institutes (EMPA, IBM, GOOGLE, Sulzer Innotec etc.), technical and financial Clusters, leading incubators as well as a prosperous industry. Population Canton Zurich 1.2 Million.

The average R+D expenditures in Switzerland are currently 2.9%, thereof 70% private expenditures (increase by 10 % within the last four years term has brought Switzerland close to the 3% EU target for 2010).

For topic b) rural regions in the Swiss mountains some with regional protected parks and/or ongoing structural changes, mainly related to a more sustainable developments in the tourist or agricultural sectors are under considerations.

Additionally the integration of ine-ZHW as a specialist in sustainable development can be envisaged for any EU projects, where respective know-how is required.

Institute for Sustainable Development (ine-ZHW)

INE is one of 45 institutes/centres at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences Winterthur (ZHW), located 20 km from the City of Zurich. ZHW has a turnover of about 75 m€, 3’000 students and a staff of about 600 people (full time equivalents).

INE (formerly called Centre for Sustainability ZSA) exists since 1996 and currently has an interdisciplinary team of 12 people active in education and research.

Experiences cover the development and application of indicator and foresight tools as well as of sustainable impact assessment tools (especially regarding social aspects). We are active in three main research areas: sustainable regional development, sustainable corporate development as well as sustainability and emerging economies.

Our ultimate goal is to achieve a more sustainable society.

Various research methods are available for the development of concepts, models, strategies and evaluation processes supporting sustainable development. Courses (E-learning) in sustainability issues support the transfer of research results into education and practical application.

GIS-knowledge can be implemented where requested.

Customers: regions, cities, communities, Swiss federal departments, industrial associations and private companies.

International experience of INE or the former ZSA in EU projects:

• 
  REFORM, 6th FWP - Regions of Knowledge 2, 2005-2007, www.re4m.eu
  
• 
  INTELCITIES, 6th FWP – IST, 2004-2006, www.intelcitiesproject.com
  
• 
  PASTILLE Promotion action for Sustainability through indicators at the local level in Europe; 5th FWP - Program EESD, 2000-2002, local partner City of Winterthur
  
• 
  QUALUP Qualification for SME in developing ecologically sound products, Leonardo da Vinci programme, 1997-1999
  

Other aspects of relevance:

• 
  We are in a position to secure necessary letters of support from public bodies promoting regional development.
  
• 
  An SME or SMEs could be integrated if needed for a successful project proposal – the integration of SMEs is often seen as a positive aspect during the project evaluation.
  
• 
  Switzerland, as a non-EU country, has been fully associated to the 6th and now to the new 7th RTD Framework programme.
  
• 
  We do not envisage taking the role of a project coordinator. However, we are in a position to write part of the proposal if required.