INVESTIGADOR RESPONSÁVEL
Nome do Investigador Responsável (IR) do projeto: Filipa Marcelo
Contacto IR: filipa.marcelo@fct.unl.pt
Departmento: Departamento d e Química (DQ)
UID: UCIBIO
FINANCIAMENTO
Tipo de Financiamento: Público
Entidade Financiadora: Internacional
Referência da Call: HORIZON-MSCA-2025-DN-01-01
Referência: 101312796
Entidade proponente: Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
Montante total do projeto: 4 674 997.08 euros
Montante total para a NOVA: 838 335,96 euros
Taxa de financiamento: 100%
PROJETO
Acrónimo: GlycaBiota
Título do Projeto: Doctoral Training Network on Glycan–Cancer–Microbiota Interactions for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Innovation in Colorectal cancer
Data de início: 01/01/2027
Data de fim: 31/12/2030
Breve descrição do projeto:
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health challenge, and increasing evidence shows that gut microbiota plays a decisive role in tumour progression and immune escape. Yet, the molecular rules governing communication between tumour cells, microbes and the immune system remain unknown. GlyCaBiota DN addresses this critical gap by focusing on how tumour and microbial glycans and proteins that recognize them shape CRC biology. Our innovative programme places glycan-mediated interactions at the core of the tumour microbiota–immune axis, enabling the rational development of next-generation diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. By combining structural, cellular and computational approaches, GlyCaBiota will decode the molecular mechanisms driving microbial colonisation, immune modulation and CRC progression. Our consortium brings together leading experts in glycoscience, microbiology, cancer biology and immunology, structural biology, bioinformatics and translational research. With nine academic and five industrial partners, one oncology center and an international network, GlyCaBiota provides complementary expertise, unique tools and clinical connections to train 15 doctoral candidates (DCs). The combination of excellent interdisciplinary science, industry know-how and clinical perspective covers the entire pipeline from fundamental discoveries to innovative solutions. DCs will gain cutting-edge scientific and transferable skills, positioning them for impactful careers across academia, industry and healthcare. GlyCaBiota will create a critical mass of researchers capable of
integrating glycoscience and microbiome research to tackle key challenges in CRC. By deciphering glycanmediated interactions, GlyCaBiota will expand fundamental knowledge and strengthen European innovation capacity, enabling future development of precision diagnostics and therapeutic strategies for CRC.
