Objective
Many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, are progressive and incurable. Much attention has been paid to understand the insults likely to kill neurons, such as reactive oxygen species and protein aggregation. In addition, it is clear that immune and inflammatory responses are involved in these diseases, but in general it is unclear whether they are protective or promote the disease process.
Here I propose to gain insight in basic mechanisms and control of immune maintenance in response to neurodegeneration in vivo. Hereto, I will use unique features of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model system to study immune cell responses to neuronal degeneration with high spatiotemporal precision in vivo. Recently, I developed a reporter in zebrafish, which labels dying cells, allowing visualization of engulfment of these cells by macrophages [van Ham et al., 2010; van Ham et al., Curr. Biol., accepted]. In the proposed research, I will investigate in vivo responses to neurodegeneration. I will use this reporter in conjunction with genetically targeted neuronal cell ablation and with disease models related to protein aggregation. By using live imaging I aim to dissect beneficial and damaging immune responses initiated by neurodegeneration. In combination with transgenic markers for different immune cells and genetic and chemical perturbation, we will clarify and determine which immune cells respond when, and to what extend to neurodegeneration. Second, we will define whether immune pathways increase disease progression or are protective. Last, as a complementary approach, I will use small molecule screening to identify drugs that modify these immune responses.
In all, this project aims to unravel basic in vivo mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative diseases. By discovering small molecules affecting interactions controlling these mechanisms, my project will identify research tools and drugs for possible therapeutic interventions.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology dementia alzheimer
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology parkinson
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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.
FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG
See other projects for this call
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.
MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG)
Coordinator
3015 GD Rotterdam
Netherlands
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.