27 January 2025
The reciprocal interaction between the intestinal tract and the liver, the gut-liver axis, is known to play a crucial role in maintaining hepatic homeostasis and function. Perturbation of this bidirectional crosstalk through an impaired intestinal barrier is observed in chronic liver disease and involves inflammation and tissue remodeling. A hallmark of this effect is a self-perpetuating cycle of systemic inflammatory responses, hepatocyte apoptosis, and activation of hepatic stellate cells. These processes can then lead to fibrosis and ultimately to cirrhosis.
To gain a better understanding of the intestinal barrier's role in liver disease pathogenesis, we invite scientists from around the world to submit proposals in response to the following question:
How would you propose to improve gut hyperpermeability by targeting the intestinal barrier with the goal to ameliorate the outcome of liver disease?
We welcome research proposals with suitable cellular models or assays that could deliver novel therapeutic targets such as genes, proteins, and pathways with the goal to restore the integrity of the gut barrier. Scientists from our cardio-renal-metabolic disease team will review all incoming proposals and should your submission become selected you could expect funding of up to 200,000 euros.
We recommend starting with your research hypothesis now, as your proposals can only be accepted if they arrive by March 26, 2025, 11:59 pm PST.
No registration required
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About our opn2EXPERTS question:
How would you propose to improve gut hyperpermeability by targeting the intestinal barrier with the goal to ameliorate the outcome of liver disease?
With ambitious questions such as this, we share precisely formulated scientific questions with the research community as part of our opn2EXPERTS program. Together with winning teams, we will explore novel solutions for discovery research that will ultimately benefit the needs of patients.
About opnMe:
opnMe.com, the open innovation portal of Boehringer Ingelheim, fosters science and collaboration initiatives in areas of high unmet medical need. As part of our first pillar, the “Molecules to Order”, we share well-characterized tool compounds free of charge with no IP strings attached. These are complemented by “Molecules for Collaboration” where we offer access to unprecedented, often unpublished molecules, together with an attractive funding package. Interested scientists are invited to submit testable research hypotheses with these assets in novel diseases or combinations. With our “opn2EXPERTS” program, we enlist scientific advice on key biologic issues to fuel further drug discovery for the benefit unmet patient needs. As part of our opn2TALENTS PostDoc grants pillar, we provide an opportunity for high-caliber talents to pitch their scientific approaches for well-defined research questions to conduct their research at one of our discovery research sites. Our current PostDoc call focuses on the development of a poxvirus-based cancer vaccine platform.