Targeting neuroinflammation to combat pathological pain in neurodegenerative diseases and chronic pain syndromes: TOBeATPAIN

Programme(s): H2020-EU.1.3.1. - Fostering new skills by means of excellent initial training of researchers

Topic(s): MSCA-ITN-2017 - Innovative Training Networks

Call for proposal: H2020-MSCA-ITN-2017

Funding Scheme: MSCA-ITN-ETN - European Training Networks

Grant agreement ID: 764860

Objective

Damage to the central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous systems causes altered perception of pain (pathological pain) which is a common feature of diseases that have high prevalence in the European Union. Both increases and decreases in the ability to perceive pain impair both performance at work and quality of life. Pathological pain in neurodegenerative diseases, musculoskeletal diseases and peripheral neuropathies is associated with neuroinflammation, the inflammatory process whereby non-neuronal (inflammatory and glia) cells interact with neurones by releasing molecules that modulate pain signalling. TOBeATPAIN suggest that neuroinflammation represents an underlying mechanism of pathological pain states encompassing those with a PNS or CNS origin. The focus of this ITN will be on the mechanisms by which non-neuronal cells impact on neuronal activity in order to identify innovative non-neuronal targets for the treatment of pathological pain in peripheral macrophages or CNS microglia/astrocytes. TOBeATPAIN delivers high-level scientific and innovation-oriented complementary training, forging career pathways to increase inter-sectorial and transnational employability of young entrepreneurially-minded scientists in the academic and industrial sectors. It combines the expertise of 5 leading academic institutions, 2 pharmaceutical companies and 1 SME as Beneficiaries, together with 2 SMEs and 1 non-profit research charity as Partner Organisations, from 4 European countries. Fully aligned with the ‘Knowledge Triangle’ (business, research, higher education) platform, eleven ESRs will gain valuable knowledge and multidisciplinary skills through interdisciplinary research projects that integrate state-of-the-art technologies, supervision by and secondments to industrial Network organisations, Network-wide and local training activities, and specialized transferable skills focused in the acquisition of the ‘3-Knowledges’ (K-creation, K-exploitation, K-communication).