LUXINNOVATION GIE
National Agency for Innovation and Research
FP7 National Contact Point
7, rue Alcide de Gasperi
L-1615 Luxembourg – Kirchberg
Tel: +352 43 62 63 – 1 Fax: +352 43 81 20
www.luxinnovation.lu
Profile of a Luxembourg Research Center interested in
becoming a partner in a FP7 RDT Proposal –
topics: HEALTH-2007-A-2.2.2-1
HEALTH-2007-2.4.4-1:
Date: 12.2.07
Contact Person
Organisation
Address
Reference: LI2007-HEALTH-04
Contact Details
Prof. Dr. Claude P. Muller
Institute of Immunology, Laboratoire National de Santé
20A, rue Auguste Lumière, L-1950 Luxembourg
L-1950
Luxembourg
Post Code
Country
+352-490604
Tel.
Fax +352-490686
Claude.muller@LNS.ETAT.LU
Email
www.etat.lu/LNS (under reconstruction)
Web address
Short Profile of Organisation:
The Institute of Immunology is a department of the Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS)
and of the Graduate School of Psychobiology of the University of Trier (Chair of
Immunology), It can participate either as a Luxembourg or a German partner. Since its
creation in 1992 the Institute has gradually expanded its scientific activities with the support
of competitive research grants from national and international sources (the European Union
DGXII and DGXIII, the World Health Organisation, industry). Staff of 30 scientists,
engineers, technicians, Ph.D. students. The Institute is strongly out-put oriented and has
about 14 peer-reviewed international scientific publications per year, and 50-60 annual
contributions to scientific conferences and oral presentations.
Have you participated in a former
European FP?
If yes, please indicate the project or
activity:
�X
Yes
�
No
 New strategies for the development of oral
vaccines, Vectors based on non-pathogenic
commensal bacteria, synthetic peptides and
lipophilic adjuvants
BIO2-CT92-0131 (EU
BIOTECHNOLOGY Programme, Human and
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Veterinary Vaccines, DG XII, 1993-1996)
Coordinator
Peptide and DNA-based strategies for
vaccination against major human infectious
BIO4-CT98-0242EU
(BIOTECHNOLOGY
Programme, Human and Veterinary Vaccines,
DGXII, 1998-2001) Partner
Demonstration that bacterial polyesters are as
reliable as the well proven polystyrene in
analytical systems BIO4-CT98-0273 (EU
BIOTECHNOLOGY Programme, Industrial
Feasibility Demonstration, DGXII, 1998-2000)
Coordinator
Development of rapid diagnostic field tests for
measles infection and immunity IN30854I (EU
Innovation Programme DGXIII, 1998-2003)
Coordinator
Several projects in the frame of the EU
Leonardo de Vinci Programme (1997-2000)
ELSM: Enhanced Laboratory Surveillance of
Measles QLK2-CT-2001-01632 (EU-Network
2002-2005) Senior Partner
Array technologies for BLS3 and BLS4
pathogens” (EU COST Action B28, since
2005-2010) Partner (workgroup leader)
Project
Research on the brain and related diseases, human development
and ageing. – Novel approaches to reconstitute normal immune
function at old age.
Area
Translational research in other major diseases: rare diseases
Workprogramme
Topic(s) you are
interested in:
Call Identifier


Stress effects on the immune system, especially
glucocorticoid like immune-senescence
Endocrine related rare diseases, nuclear receptors
HEALTH-2007-A-2.2.2-1
HEALTH-2007-2.4.4-1:
Your main research areas/ Description of research activities: (5 lines min)
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Molecular biology of steroid hormone receptors.
Transcriptional and translational control of steroid hormone receptor genes.
Effects of stress on the immune system.
Vaccine development against viral diseases
Development of diagnostic assays
Expertise/ Commitment offered: (5 lines min)
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Large Glucocorticoid receptor experience in clinical research setting
Experience in transcriptional control of GR in clinical situation.
Large experience of viral immunology including:
Large experience in European/international research programs, both as coordinator
and partner
The Institute serves as consultants to International Organisations such as WHO,
(Head of the Institute member of WHO Steering Committee for M/R) and the
European Union 3-7th Framework Programme, scientific institutes and companies.
Description of the added value you can provide (know-how/expertise and
equipment): (10 lines min)
The Institute is well staffed and equipped with state of the art equipment. Experienced in
training of Ph.D students and laboratory staff, coordination of large international projects, very
proactive staff. Techniques and expertise that can be contributed:
 Proteomics: A state-of-the-art proteomics workstation for comprehensive expression
profiling of proteins by 2-D DIGE electrophoresis (Typhoon 9400 2-D high resolution
fluorescence scanner) followed by protein identification by peptide mass fingerprinting
and sequencing with a matrix assisted time of flight mass spectrometer with post-source
decay analysis (MALDI-TOF-TOF PSD/LIFT) and LCMS Ion Trap
 Immunology: T cell and B cell hybridomas, T cell lines, monoclonal and polyclonal
antibody production, various formats of immunoassays (ELISA plate readers for
absorption, fluorescence, chemiluminescence), flow cytometry including cell sorting and
automated cell cloning, phenotyping of clinical samples, pepscan, breeding of specific
pathogen-free animals, in vivo and in vitro immunogenicity studies;
 Virology: BSL3 laboratory (avian influenza), virus isolation, production and purification,
serological tests and seroprevalence studies, genotyping of viruses, phylogenetic
analyses, molecular epidemiology, epidemic surveillance;
 Molecular biology: PCR, bacteria cultures, eukaryotic and prokaryotic expression
systems, sequencing, real-time PCR for quantification of viral RNA and cytokines,
monoclonal antibody sequencing, recombinant protein production and purification;
random phage peptide libraries, analytical and preparative HPLC for DNA and proteins;
 Chemistry: peptide synthesis and purification, HPLC analysis; chemical derivatisation of
haptens, conjugation chemistry.
Keywords specifying the expertise:
Neuroimmunology, nuclear receptors, glucocorticoid receptor, hypothalamus-pituitaryadrenal axis, estrogene receptor, stress, fibromyalgia, untranslated exon 1s, splicing,
PLEASE FILL IN THE PARTNER PROFILE FORM AND RETURN IT TO:
LUXINNOVATION
Helene.michel@luxinnovation.lu