CA18133 - European Research Network on Signal Transduction (ERNEST)

All cells face the vital challenge of sensing their environments and responding in appropriate ways. This
process is accomplished by transmembrane signal transduction, which is present in every species and
governs every aspect of how an organism functions. In regard to human health, there is a huge drive to
understand how transmembrane signal transduction networks function on the molecular, cellular and
physiological level so that drugs can be designed to modulate different aspects of the signal transduction
cascade in highly specific ways. Despite significant progress in understanding the individual components,
signal transduction as a whole is not fully understood. Fundamental questions remain regarding how
different signalling pathways are activated and modulated in precise and reproducible ways. Filling this gap
in knowledge is absolutely necessary to advance the next generation of drugs that will achieve therapeutic
efficacy while minimizing side effects. A prime example of this research challenge is the large family of G
protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are the target of more than a third of all marketed drugs. The
COST Action ERNEST (European Research Network on Signal Transduction) will tackle this challenge by
uniting scientists from different disciplines spanning the molecular, cellular, physiological, and clinical
perspectives. This network of diverse investigators will be uniquely able to synergistically develop an
unprecedented comprehensive understanding of signal transduction that will advance drug design efforts in
Europe, for the benefit of societies and human health worldwide.