Inserm Funds AIR-MT Project: AI Serving the New Generation of RNA Vaccines and Therapies

Inserm announces the funding of the AIR-MT project (Artificial Intelligence for the design of RNA methyltransferases) with 3 million euros as part of the Impact Santé program of France 2030. This acceleration project, to which Béatrice Nal from the Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML) contributes, aims to revolutionize the stability and efficacy of messenger RNA-based vaccines and therapies. An Innovative Approach to Improve RNA Therapies: led by Bruno Canard (AFMB, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University) in close collaboration with Béatrice Nal (CIML, Aix Marseille University, CNRS, Inserm), Olivier Schwartz (Institut Pasteur), Cédric Leyrat (Institute of Functional Genomics, Inserm) and Renaud Vincentelli (AFMB, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University), the AIR-MT project uses artificial intelligence to design enzymes capable of precisely modifying messenger RNA. Béatrice Nal's expertise in studying dendritic cells and their response to modified RNAs represents a major asset for this project. CIML at the Heart of Innovation in Immunotherapy: the involvement of Béatrice Nal, an AMU researcher-teacher at CIML in Philippe Pierre's team, brings a crucial immunological dimension to the AIR-MT project. Their research will evaluate how RNA modifications affect the immune response, a determining aspect for the development of more effective vaccines and better-tolerated RNA therapies. Impact Santé: A Strategic Initiative for Breakthrough Research;The AIR-MT project is one of 15 projects selected by Impact Santé, Inserm's program dedicated to funding breakthrough health research. Launched in May 2024 and endowed with 30 million euros, this mechanism is part of the France 2030 plan, which dedicates 150 million euros to high-risk, high-potential research. This funding will allow the multidisciplinary consortium, including researchers from Institut Pasteur, CNRS, and Inserm, to develop cutting-edge technology for designing enzymes that specifically modify RNA, with potential applications in the treatment of numerous diseases.

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Inserm funds the ANTIBAX project: A revolutionary approach against mucosal cancers

Inserm announces the funding of the ANTIBAX project with 2.3 million euros as part of the Impact Santé program of France 2030. This innovative project, to which Pierre Milpied from the Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML, AMU,CNRS,Inserm) contributes, aims to develop monoclonal antibodies targeting bacteria involved in mucosal cancers.
CIML at the forefront of immuno-oncology with Pierre Milpied: Led by Professor Laurence Zitvogel (Université Paris-Saclay, Institut Gustave Roussy) in close collaboration with Pierre Milpied, the ANTIBAX project leverages the expertise of the Inserm Research Director at CIML in analyzing B lymphocytes and their antibody repertoire. This expertise is fundamental for identifying antibodies in mucosal tumors capable of specifically targeting pathobiont bacteria that promote cancer development. An innovative approach combining microbiome and immunotherapy: The ANTIBAX project proposes to eliminate pathobiont bacteria not with immunosuppressive antibiotics but with monoclonal antibodies capable of activating the body's natural defenses. This approach could lead to a form of indirect antibacterial vaccination, transforming the management of mucosal cancers. Pierre Milpied's work at CIML on tumor-infiltrating B lymphocytes is decisive for this project. His research on the diversity and specificity of antibodies produced by these cells will help identify promising antibodies to neutralize cancer-promoting bacteria. Impact Santé: An innovative program to support breakthrough research: The ANTIBAX project is one of 15 projects selected by Impact Santé, Inserm's program dedicated to funding breakthrough health research. Launched in May 2024 with a budget of 30 million euros, this initiative is part of the France 2030 plan, which allocates 150 million euros to high-risk, high-potential research.The expected benefits of the ANTIBAX project include reducing tumor aggressiveness, preventing metastasis, and enhancing the effectiveness of existing immunotherapies.

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