ViBrANT

VIral and BacteRial Adhesin Network Training

01.01.2018 bis 31.12.2021

ViBrANT (VIral and BacteRial Adhesin Network Training) brings together an interdisciplinary team of worldleading
European infection researchers, focused on a cutting-edge translational research project to understand hostpathogen
adhesion and to develop novel, highly-specific nanoscale diagnostics to improve patient care. Host-pathogen
interactions are the basis for infectious diseases, but the research methodologies needed to unravel these interactions
and translate them into viable diagnostic tools are complex and change rapidly.
ViBrANT will deliver high-impact fundamental and translational science and in so doing will educate 15 students. We
have the demonstrated track-record and infrastructure to train students in highly innovative methodologies, including
structural biology, proteomics, genetics, comparative genomics, lab-on-a-chip technology and the development
of state of the art diagnostics in the field of infectious diseases. ViBrANT will investigate the poorly understood
structure-function relationships between pathogen adhesins and hosts in an integrative manner. The students in the
project will have extensive intersectoral mobility across 7 EU/EEA countries, accessing the best complementary skills
in each of the hosting institutions. ViBrANT comprises 8 leading universities, 1 public research institution and 6
companies (from SME to multinational). The project will impact adhesion biology in general; the detection of multiantibiotic
resistant human pathogens will have priority.
The students will acquire the necessary skills to translate fundamental research into technologies that will have a strong
positive effect on the care of patients with infectious diseases. ViBrANT science will be high-impact and deliver
15 highly-trained innovative researchers and a long-lasting inter-sectoral collaborative network. Together, we will
continue to develop fundamental research and translate it for the socio-economic benefit of Europe.