LIH microbiome project supported by MSCA Individual Fellowship

Prestigious European grant awarded to LIH postdoctoral researcher

• Department of Infection and Immunity
• Nutrition, Microbiome and Immunity
• Donation

Dr Clara Delaroque, postdoctoral fellow within the Nutrition, Microbiome & Immunity research group led by Dr. Mahesh Desai of the LIH Department of Infection and Immunity (DII), has been awarded a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Individual Fellowship with an exceptional score of 100%. This prestigious and highly competitive grant from the European Commission will support her innovative research into the mechanisms by which specific gut bacteria influence the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Dr. Delaroque’s project, STRAINGUT (Impact of strain-level functional diversity in mucin-degrading bacteria on the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease), seeks to identify how different strains of the bacterium Ruminococcus gnavus – which can degrade the protective mucus layer of the intestine – contribute to inflammation and disease. While previous studies have associated these bacteria with IBD, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Dr. Delaroque’s work will go beyond simple associations to determine which strains are pro-inflammatory and to uncover the molecular pathways responsible for these effects.

“Receiving this fellowship is a great honour and a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the complex interactions between gut bacteria and our immune system,” said Dr. Delaroque. “By understanding these processes, we hope to develop targeted therapeutic strategies that could prevent or treat IBD and other inflammation-related disorders”.

Inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, affect millions of people worldwide, with rising incidence and a profound impact on quality of life. Dr. Delaroque’s research will utilise a unique collection of R. gnavus strains isolated from both healthy individuals and IBD patients. Through a combination of advanced in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo approaches, she aims to reveal how strain-level differences influence disease onset and severity.

Clara’s project is a perfect example of the innovative, translational research that LIH strives to advance. Her findings could significantly improve our understanding of IBD and lead to new, more effective treatments.

commented Dr Mahesh Desai, leader of the Nutrition, Microbiome & Immunity group.

The MSCA Individual Fellowship not only funds Dr. Delaroque’s research but also provides exceptional training and networking opportunities, supporting her development as a junior researcher.

“Receiving such a competitive grant with a score of 100% clearly highlights the scientific excellence of our research environment and our commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders. We are incredibly proud of Clara’s achievement and excited about the potential impact of her work”, concludes Dr Desai.

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Individual Fellowships are part of the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, supporting experienced researchers wishing to diversify their individual competences in terms of skill acquisition through advanced training, international and cross-sectoral mobility.