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What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease
(IBD)? Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disorder characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract. It includes conditions like Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). What are Glycans? Glycans, also called polysaccharides, are sugar chains that serve several functions in our bodies (structural, energy storage, and regulatory functions). The array of glycans in our gut (the glycome) plays an important role in the correct function and protection of our gut and its balanced interaction with microorganisms. What is the GlycanTrigger project? GlycanTrigger is a project funded by the European Union that looks into how changes in glycans (the sugar chains) on the surface of the gut mucosa can act as a trigger of health to chronic inflammation transition Why is GlycanTrigger’s approach different? GlycanTrigger is testing the innovative hypothesis that changes in glycans composition of the protective layer of our gut (the glycocalyx) act as an early event of the inflammatory response. This glycan switch at the surface of gut mucosa can lead to an imbalance in the bacteria living in our gut (i.e., the gut microbiome), triggering the inflammatory response.
About GlycanTrigger project

GlycanTrigger is a project funded by the European Union within the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions, bringing together 9 organisations from 6 different European countries and 1 non-European country (USA).

In GlycanTrigger, we will investigate when, why and how changes in gut glycome trigger health-to-chronic inflammation transition. The project started in January 2023 and will be developed for 6 years under the coordination of Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S) from the University of Porto, Portugal. The GlycanTrigger consortium includes representatives from medical universities and research centers, clinical centers, one biotechnology company, one consultancy company, and one European patients’ association.

Key Numbers
Budget

6.8 M€

Duration

72 months

9 partners

6 European countries
1 USA

Diseases

Crohn’s disease (CD)
Ulcerative Colitis (UC)

Highlights
News & Events
Consortium

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