Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action ETN STRATEGY-CKD

MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE ACTION Innovative Training Network: STRATEGY-CKD

 

strategy ckd

 

 
Introduction

MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE ACTION “System omics to unravel the gut-kidney axis in Chronic Kidney Disease, STRATEGY-CKD.” is a European Training Network (ETN) composed of 10 academic partners (5 female), 2 SMEs and 1 industrial partner. In addition, 8 academic partners and 2 industry partners are associated in the European working group EUTox that integrates 25 academic (4 female) and 3 industrial members (1 female) from 12 European countries. Together, we will organize training courses, secondments, workshops and meetings in an intersectoral framework

The project is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Griet Glorieux (Ghent University, Belgium) and will run from February 2020 till January 2024


Project description

There is a great need for multi-disciplinary and methodologically well trained scientists in order to unravel complex diseases. Chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is more prevalent in women, and its high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) with nearly 50% of all deaths in CKD patients caused by CVD, is such a complex disease and its socio-economic burden is extremely high. STRATEGY-CKD will in this context focus on the gut-kidney axis and the role of the intestinal microbiome as important contributor to the genesis and evolution of CVD in CKD and as possible therapeutic target to improve outcome of CKD patients. For this purpose, 10 leading multidisciplinary academic and 3 industrial investigators and their teams will train young researchers in (1) excellent scientific skills, integrating technological skills [in vitro, bacterial and animals molecular and functional studies, state-of-the-art omic (cultur-, microbi, peptid-, prote-, metabolomics) approaches, bioinformatics, systems biology] in clinical/mechanistic knowledge to generate innovative insights triggering the pathogenesis and treatment of CKD related CVD; (2) Excellent complementary skills in personal and career development as well as business training required to extend beyond scientific research; and (3) exposure to both academic and non-academic environments, required to build bridges between researchers and entrepreneurs and support the future translation of research findings in innovative therapies and services. STRATEGY-CKD builds on already available advanced technology, models and patient samples, and established collaborations. STRATEGY-CKD links to ongoing European programs among partners of the consortium. STRATEGY-CKD will stimulate the development of young, broadly-trained scientists able to successfully link basic to clinical research in academia as well as in industry unravelling complex diseases such as CVD-CKD.

 

Objectives

These are the objectives of STRATEGY-CKD:

  • To ensure maximal efficiency and effectiveness of project activities through smooth management; optimal outreach, dissemination and exploitation actions to maximize the impact of STRATEGY-CKD
  • To coordinate the effective implementation of all training activities
  • To obtain omic data on body (human and animal) fluids and cell culture supernatants according to SOPs and established quality controlled procedures.
  • To apply established single cell culture models, a gut-kidney axis on a chip platform and animal models and human intestinal biopsies to study the pathophysiology of CKD and the link between intestinal microbiota and specific CKD related CV morbidity and mortality and a causal relation for the in WP5 associated microbiota/microbiome.
  • To reveal associations between intestinal microbiota (specific bacterial species) and circulating (uraemic) compounds and as such point out possible targets for altering the intestinal generation of metabolites contributing to the increased risk for CV morbidity and mortality in CKD.
  • To define targets / interventional (therapeutic) strategies to decrease uraemic metabolites accumulation and thus toxicity, improving both renal and CV outcome in CKD

 

Role of Ghent University

Ghent University coordinates the project. Prof. G Glorieux will be promotor of one of the early stage researchers and will host ESRs during their secondments.


Website

To be announced

 

Contact

Prof. Dr. Griet Glorieux
Department of internal medicine and pediatrics
Phone number: 09 332 45 11