Specific programme: HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

UPV/EHU Partner Status: Beneficiary
UPV/EHU PI: Miren Itziar Alcorta Calvo

Project start: 15/03/2024 
Project end: 14/03/2026

Brief description:
Antibiotic resistance (AR) is one of the greatest threats to human health. The global overuse of antibiotics has resulted in the proliferation and dissemination of antibiotic resistant bacteria harboring a multitude of antibiotic resistance genes that can be mobilized by different horizontal gene transfer processes such as conjugation. Integrative Conjugative Elements (ICEs) are mobile genetic elements which are typically found integrated in the bacterial chromosome and encode the machinery for their conjugation. The so-called coupling proteins have a critical role in the conjugation process. ICECOUP is focused on the molecular and functional characterization of a critical component for ICE transmission, the coupling protein, with the ultimate goal of finding ICE conjugationinhibitors to block or, at least, minimize the AR spread. To date, ICE coupling proteins have received little attention despite their importance in the transfer mechanism. The supervision of Dr. Itziar Alkorta at the University of Basque Country(UPV/EHU) is a key element to guarantee the success of this project.ICECOUP will generate extensive and innovative scientific outputs that in the long run will have a societal impact, enhancing the catalogue of weapons tocombat antibiotic resistance. The multidisciplinary approach of ICECOUP will allow me the reinforce my scientific knowledge and soft skills, while I acquireoutreach and project management capacities. Undoubtedly, should this project be funded, it will strengthen my prospects to forge a stable career as anindependent researcher able to secure funding.