Obiettivo Individuals of the same species vary widely in size, but their organs have reproducible proportions and patterns of cell types. How cell fate specification and tissue growth are coordinated during embryonic development to achieve this reproducibility is a fundamental question in biology. Yet, surprisingly little is known about the underlying mechanisms. A major challenge has been to obtain the quantitative data required to assess the dynamics and variability in growth, pattern and signalling by morphogens – molecules that regulate both cell fate specification and tissue growth. I recently established experimental and theoretical approaches that allowed me to reconstruct with unprecedented resolution the three-dimensional growth and pattern of mouse and chick spinal cord. My data revealed a previously unanticipated role of tissue growth dynamics in controlling pattern reproducibility. This quantitative framework provides an exciting opportunity to elucidate the biophysical and molecular mechanisms of growth and pattern coordination. I will use this unique position to understand: 1) how signalling by multiple morphogens is integrated to control pattern, 2) how morphogens control cell cycle kinetics, 3) how morphogen source and target tissue are coupled to achieve pattern reproducibility. To address these issues, I will build on my experience with quantitative analyses to design novel assays where signalling, cell cycle dynamics and transcriptomes can be precisely measured and manipulated with single cell resolution. I will exploit state-of-the-art genome editing techniques to uncouple the critical feedback links and gain a novel perspective on pattern reproducibility and morphogen function. The project will advance our fundamental understanding of tissue morphogenesis and provide novel insights relevant to understanding information processing by signal transduction cascades, morphogen gradient activity, tissue engineering, and cancer biology. Campo scientifico natural sciencesbiological sciencesdevelopmental biologymedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomesnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdata sciencedata processingnatural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsmathematical model Programma(i) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Argomento(i) ERC-StG-2015 - ERC Starting Grant Invito a presentare proposte ERC-2015-STG Vedi altri progetti per questo bando Meccanismo di finanziamento ERC-STG - Starting Grant Istituzione ospitante INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AUSTRIA Contribution nette de l'UE € 1 499 119,00 Indirizzo Am Campus 1 3400 Klosterneuburg Austria Mostra sulla mappa Regione Ostösterreich Niederösterreich Wiener Umland/Nordteil Tipo di attività Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Partecipazione a programmi di R&I dell'UE Opens in new window Rete di collaborazione HORIZON Opens in new window Costo totale € 1 499 119,00 Beneficiari (1) Classifica in ordine alfabetico Classifica per Contributo netto dell'UE Espandi tutto Riduci tutto INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AUSTRIA Austria Contribution nette de l'UE € 1 499 119,00 Indirizzo Am Campus 1 3400 Klosterneuburg Mostra sulla mappa Regione Ostösterreich Niederösterreich Wiener Umland/Nordteil Tipo di attività Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Partecipazione a programmi di R&I dell'UE Opens in new window Rete di collaborazione HORIZON Opens in new window Costo totale € 1 499 119,00