Target mining for the development of therapeutics against pathogen-induced cancerscore
TagTIC · Horizon Europe grant · 2027-01-01–2031-12-31
EC contribution
Total cost
Beneficiaries
About the data
Source: CORDIS (official EU open data), Horizon Europe. Framework HORIZON · call HORIZON-MSCA-2025-DN-01 · scheme HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN-JD · topic HORIZON-MSCA-2025-DN-01-01. CORDIS record →
Objective
Gastrointestinal cancers, including gastric and colorectal cancer, are among the most prevalent and lethal malignancies worldwide. Growing evidence highlights the microbial agents Fusobacterium nucleatum, Helicobacter pylori, or Epstein-Barr Virus as prominent key drivers of cancer initiation and progression by disrupting epithelial signaling, promoting chronic inflammation, and evading immune surveillance. However, current therapeutic strategies and model systems rarely address pathogenic tumorigenesis or progression and altered drug efficacy in the presence of these pathogens, leaving a critical gap in the development of precise and preventive treatments.TagTIC addresses this challenge through a systems medicine approach that integrates microbiology, cancer biology, drug discovery, and artificial intelligence. By using innovative preclinical organoid model systems that closely resemble patient conditions, TagTIC aims to decipher complex host-pathogen interactions at single-cell and spatial resolution and to address them therapeutically. Research will focus on: (i) identifying vulnerable molecular nodes involved in pathogen-associated cancers; (ii) developing novel strategies for lead discovery and treatment; (iii) generating and analyzing innovative ex vivo models using 2D/3D cultures, patient-derived organoids, and organ-on-chip technologies. The network will train eleven Doctoral Candidates (DCs) towards translational leaders, capable of analyzing and solving complex biomedical needs with innovative strategies and approaches. DCs will follow a structured training program combining basic and translational science with cross-sectoral exposure to academia and industry. The collaboration between nine beneficiaries and 14 associated partners ensures a strong curriculum, interdisciplinary mentorship, and international mobility to empower DCs for careers in academia, biotech, pharma, and socio-economic sectors across Europe.
Beneficiaries (23)
| Organisation | Country | Role | EC contribution | SME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PARIS-LODRON-UNIVERSITAT SALZBURG | AT | coordinator | €806,781 | |
| UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA LA SAPIENZA | IT | participant | €751,347 | |
| AARHUS UNIVERSITET | DK | participant | €447,853 | |
| TISSUEGNOSTICS GMBH | AT | participant | €403,391 | Yes |
| HELMHOLTZ ZENTRUM MUENCHEN DEUTSCHES FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM FUER GESUNDHEIT UND UMWELT GMBH | DE | participant | €387,030 | |
| DEUTSCHES KREBSFORSCHUNGSZENTRUM HEIDELBERG | DE | participant | €387,030 | |
| UNIVERSITAT DES SAARLANDES | DE | participant | €387,030 | |
| UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE MADRID | ES | participant | €376,251 | |
| UNIWERSYTET GDANSKI | PL | participant | €334,868 | |
| Meso Scale Diagnostics, LLC. | US | associatedPartner | — | |
| DeepMirror Ltd | UK | associatedPartner | — | Yes |
| TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN | DE | associatedPartner | — | |
| GEMEINNUTZIGE SALZBURGER LANDESKLINIKEN BETRIEBSGESELLSCHAFT | AT | associatedPartner | — | |
| SCIENSEED SL | ES | associatedPartner | — | |
| Cobiomic Bioscience SL | ES | associatedPartner | — | |
| MyxoTech GmbH | DE | associatedPartner | — | |
| INVIGATE GmbH | DE | associatedPartner | — | |
| Evident Europe GmbH - Headquarter EMEA - Germany | DE | associatedPartner | — | |
| G2L Services Limited | CA | associatedPartner | — | |
| Molecular Devices (Austria) GmbH | AT | associatedPartner | — | |
| ABBERIOR INSTRUMENTS GMBH | DE | associatedPartner | — | |
| IMMUNOTOOLS GMBH | DE | associatedPartner | — | Yes |
| RUPRECHT-KARLS-UNIVERSITAET HEIDELBERG | DE | associatedPartner | — |
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