Objective
The importance of mechanical forces in biology is well accepted, yet an integrated view of their mode of action in vivo is lacking. We intend to characterize in-depth the physical forces and cellular processes that coordinate the morphogenesis of different cell types contributing to an organ, taking the C. elegans embryo as a paradigm.
We will achieve this by pursuing three axes:
1. Building on our discovery of a hemidesmosome-based mechanotransduction pathway that operates between contracting muscles and epidermal cells, we will combine genetic analysis with single-molecule biophysical methods to address three issues. i) What is the primary mechanosensor responding to tension within hemidesmosomes and how does it work? ii) How are all epidermal targets of muscle tension activated? iii) What is the biophysical mechanism stabilizing epidermal cells between muscle contractions?
2. We will test several features of a finite element model predicting a key role of microtubule-based epidermal stiffness and hydrostatic pressure in elongation. We will combine quantitative mechanical measures with force biosensors and laser ablation to define how these resistive forces contribute to embryo elongation along the anterior-posterior axis.
3. To extend our conclusions to the medical field, we will knockdown homologues of proteins identified in C. elegans, as well as proteins of the same families, in keratinocytes with partially damaged hemidesmosomes. Cells will be submitted to wound assays or grown on a stretchable substrate. Positive hits will be further characterized and tested in mouse models with partially defective hemidesmosomes.
We foresee that this project will identify conserved proteins and processes relaying mechanical forces, and thus shed light on the mechanical basis of morphogenesis. We also expect our work to have strong impact in medicine, since the outcome of many pathologies, including wound healing and cancer, is thought to be strongly influenced by forces.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors biosensors
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences physical sciences classical mechanics fluid mechanics fluid statics
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine embryology
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2011-ADG_20110310
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
75794 PARIS
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.