The Translational Research Network for Prostate Cancer (TransPot) program adopts an innovative, multidisciplinary approach, providing highly sought-after, effective solutions for incurable prostate cancer (PC). The TransPot scientific objective is to obtain an unmatched depth of molecular, mechanistic and informatics systems-level disease understanding in order to improve the prognosis and treatment of lethal PC, aimed to (i) provide important insights into molecular mechanisms driving treatment resistant PC including castrate-resistant PC (CRPC), (ii) identify novel therapeutic targets, (iii) develop and validate predictive models for disease progression, prognosis and responsiveness to current and novel (co-)treatment options, and (iv) provide superior, clinically relevant tools and biomarker signatures for personalising and optimising CRPC therapy. Our research program is built on network-wide, state-of-the-art cancer biology-based mechanistic research integrated with a systems medicine approach: 1. Cancer biology-based mechanistic research incorporating a comprehensive range of model systems incorporating unique, pre-clinical and clinical resources and distinct phenotypic high content screen platforms. 2. A systems medicine approach with mathematical modelling to develop novel predictive/prognostic tools. 3. Centres of excellence in surgery, oncology and clinical trials, comprising clinical infrastructure and essential resources whereby candidate therapeutic targets and predictive/prognostic tools can be comprehensively evaluated, including accessing bio-repository resources. We will train young scientists to apply multiple ‘omics’ technologies and approaches in model systems and systems biology to answer important clinically-relevant questions. Advances achieved will facilitate personalized targeted-medicine in treating lethal PC, and will impact beyond the scientific community by improving the well-being of advanced PC patients.

System omics to unravel the gut-kidney axis in Chronic Kidney Disease: There is a great need for multi-disciplinary and methodologically well trained scientists in order to unravel complex diseases. Chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is more prevalent in women, and its high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) with nearly 50% of all deaths in CKD patients caused by CVD, is such a complex disease and its socio-economic burden is extremely high. STRATEGY-CKD will in this context focus on the gut-kidney axis and the role of the intestinal microbiome as important contributor to the genesis and evolution of CVD in CKD and as possible therapeutic target to improve outcome of CKD patients. For this purpose, 10 leading multidisciplinary academic and 3 industrial investigators and their teams will train young researchers in (1) excellent scientific skills, integrating technological skills [in vitro, bacterial and animals molecular and functional studies, state-of-the-art omic (cultur-, microbi, peptid-, prote-, metabolomics) approaches, bioinformatics, systems biology] in clinical/mechanistic knowledge to generate innovative insights triggering the pathogenesis and treatment of CKD related CVD; (2) Excellent complementary skills in personal and career development as well as business training required to extend beyond scientific research; and (3) exposure to both academic and non-academic environments, required to build bridges between researchers and entrepreneurs and support the future translation of research findings in innovative therapies and services. STRATEGY-CKD builds on already available advanced technology, models and patient samples, and established collaborations. STRATEGY-CKD links to ongoing European programs among partners of the consortium. STRATEGY-CKD will stimulate the development of young, broadly-trained scientists able to successfully link basic to clinical research in academia as well as in industry unravelling complex diseases such as CVD-CKD.

The social and financial burden that chronic kidney disease (CKD) imposes on European countries is significant. Currently 16.95% of the global population suffers from CKD. The prevalence of the disease has increased steadily during the previous decades and it is expected to reach alarming rates in the near future. It is thus apparent that an effective treatment for CKD will have a positive social and financial impact. The pathological basis of CKD is complex and the molecular mechanisms responsible for the onset and progression of the disease have not been fully elucidated. Their elucidation will enable the identification of specific therapeutic targets. Currently there are significant -omics datasets available on CKD deposited in databases. However, a marked deficiency of these datasets is the scarcity of kidney tissue proteomics data. PROCEED targets the mapping of kidney tissue proteomics changes in association to CKD phenotypes, integration of –omics datasets with clinical data by systems biology approaches, and subsequently prediction of novel therapeutic targets. The output of the proposed study is expected to fill a very important gap in the existing knowledge in the field, namely provide the in situ comprehensive proteomics phenotyping of renal disease progression. The project is timely and in accordance with the current European research developments and societal needs. Through this project the ER who has spent most of his career in academia will be able to acquire unique skills available in the industrial setting. Upon completion of the project he is expected to return to his academic institution and act as a catalyst that will facilitate the translation of research findings to the industrial and clinical setting.