Visualizing death inducing protein complexes
Every day billions of cells die in our bodies as part of normal healthy processes. These cell deaths are called “regulated cell deaths” as they occur through the activation of genetically encoded molecular machinery.  However, too little or too much cell death is the cause of various diseases and of illness caused by exposure to chemicals. Understanding these cell death processes and how they are controlled may lead to new treatments for disease as well as explaining why some chemicals are hazardous. 

Regulated cell deaths as exemplified by apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis are induced by the formation of protein complexes. Here, we will develop new molecular tools to visualize the formation of the protein complexes in live cells and tissues and then use these tools to study cell death in normal and disease processes.  Our consortium includes cell death experts, bioluminescence experts, zebrafish experts, as well as structural, developmental, molecular and cell biologists in industry and academia. The proposed research network will provide intersectoral mobility between laboratories expert in complementary skills. This will drive the development of the new tool and enhance the researchers’ career prospects. 

The research is of importance to many citizens of the EC; it will contribute to increasing food security by improving aquaculture, improving the health of aging populations through the study of degenerative diseases, improving toxicity assessment to better protect citizens from chemical hazards and improving the drug-development by better identification of adverse effects. Moreover, the assays emerging from the research will be commercialized by the industrial partners in the network, so supporting economic development within the EU.