BioMed X Institute starts new project in immunology research with Janssen

We are pleased to announce that as of November 9th we are launching a new call for application for a research program in the field of immunology in collaboration with Janssen Research & Development, LLC.

The new project will examine the role of ‘Protective Tissue Factors in Autoimmune Diseases’ (PTA) and focus on the development of novel methodologies to systematically profile and dissect complex tissue microenvironments. The goal is to identify components that induce pro-resolution responses in tissue-resident innate immune cells to restore homeostasis in autoinflammatory diseases such as psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The collaboration was facilitated by Johnson & Johnson Innovation.

An emerging area of science is being focused on identifying strategies to treat patients with autoimmune diseases that not only block inflammation, but which promote pro-resolution responses in immune cells to restore homeostasis. Recent research findings suggest that tissue factors released during cellular damage, stress or inflammation can trigger pro-resolution responses in innate immune cells without negatively impacting other cell types.

The new project offers a unique opportunity to develop novel therapeutic concepts and innovative approaches to tackle the most difficult-to-treat autoimmune diseases of our time.

The call for application for this project will open today and ends January 3rd, 2021. Applicants are invited to submit a project proposal which explores the complex biology of stromal-immune cross-talk and which aims to identify novel pathways and mechanisms that restore homeostasis in autoinflammatory diseases. The project should focus on the following deliverables:

• Development of novel methodologies to systematically profile and dissect complex tissue microenvironments in order to identify components that induce pro-resolution responses in tissue-resident innate immune cells;
• Identification of specific and selective novel targets that could be used to trigger pro-resolution responses in innate immune cells without negatively impacting other cell types.

Proposals building on very original ideas supported by first experimental findings are particularly encouraged. Interested candidates are invited to apply on this website at https://apply.bio.mx/call/2020-C01 .