Amplifying Funds in Infection Biology

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is establishing a new funding initiative to foster interdisciplinary and collaborative research in infection biology across Europe through collaborative research projects co-funded by esteemed institutions.

Infectious diseases are a prevalent cause of human illness and death in the world. The vast diversity of pathogens, together with their ability to cross species boundaries and develop resistance to available treatments, creates alarming possibilities for future epidemics and pandemics that impact human and planetary health.

The Amplifying Funds in Infection Biology aims to support collaborative projects in any area of infection biology between group leaders at EMBL and collaborating institutions. Selected projects will explore vital aspects of infection biology, such as pathogen-specific protein machines, host-pathogen interactions at various scales, human genetics influencing infection susceptibility, and innovative approaches to combat antimicrobial resistance. This call also welcomes projects related to the human microbiome, or other microbiomes, linked to infection, as this initiative is also supported by the Microbial Ecosystems transversal theme.

EMBL offers access to cutting-edge technologies in computational biology, systems-based approaches, engineered tissue and organoid systems, imaging, and structural biology to study pathogens and their interactions with hosts across scales. The four collaborating institutions bring their world-leading expertise in infectious disease research, pathogen biology and genomics, immunology, anti-infective research, and microbiology.

Awarded MIMS projects in Amplifying Funds in Infection Biology

Expanding the frontiers of thermal proteome profiling in infection biology

To survive, replicate, and cause disease, pathogens must profoundly modulate the biology of their host’s cells. Often this is mediated via effector protein secretion.

Mikhail Savitski (EMBL Heidelberg), Agathe Subtil (Institut Pasteur), Barbara Susanne Sixt (MIMS)

Delineating membrane dynamics and its molecular players in model eukaryotic intracellular pathogens

To survive inside the host cell many intracellular pathogens develop within a vacuole that protects them and delimits a space conducive to proliferation. Apicomplexan parasites are obligate intracellular eukaryotic pathogens that cause several diseases important for human health and agriculture.

Simone Mattei (EMBL Heidelberg), Ellen Bushell (MIMS), Richard Lundmark (MIMS)

Investigating the antimicrobial activity of inflammation-induced human antimicrobial peptides against commensal gut bacteria

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are evolutionary ancient host defence molecules that protect epithelial and mucosal surfaces against microbial infections.

Michael Zimmermann (EMBL Heidelberg), Björn O. Schröder (MIMS)

Personalizing gut decolonization of MDR Enterobacteria through a systems biology approach

Gut colonisation by multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriales (MDR-E) is a significant risk factor for infections, yet no clinically approved therapies exist to reduce or eradicate intestinal colonisation. Because disruption of the gut microbiota typically precedes expansion of resident or colonisation of new MDR-E, microbiota reconstitution represents a promising intervention avenue for preventing infections.

Athanasios Typas (EMBL Heidelberg), Till Strowig (HZI), David Bikard (Institut Pasteur), André Mateus (MIMS)