Objective
Synapses connect neurons into a network that encodes our thoughts, memories and personalities. Loss of synaptic connectivity is thought to underlie a variety of cognitive disorders such as autism, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease, but little is known about the molecules and mechanisms that establish and maintain the precise patterns of synaptic connectivity in the brain. Neither is it understood how perturbed synaptic connectivity affects cognitive function. The synaptic adhesion molecules that connect pre- and postsynaptic partners across the synaptic cleft provide the key to understand these processes.
I hypothesize that the proper formation and function of synaptic connections depends on synapse-specific complexes of adhesion molecules. Together, these complexes form a synaptic adhesion code that specifies synaptic connectivity and contributes to the functional and structural diversity of synapses in the brain. In my preliminary studies, I have identified a large complex of novel synaptic adhesion molecules that is required for normal synapse function, and is ideally suited to confer precise synaptic connectivity. Using in vivo manipulation of these novel synaptic adhesion molecules, I will uncover how the diversity in synaptic adhesion complexes contributes to the specification of synaptic connectivity and the diversity of synapses. Furthermore, I will determine how loss of these novel adhesion molecules affects cognitive function. This will yield new insights in the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie the establishment of precise synaptic connectivity in the brain. Ultimately, this insight will guide the development of new strategies for the treatment of cognitive disorders.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology cognitive neuroscience
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology dementia alzheimer
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine psychiatry schizophrenia
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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-2012-StG_20111109
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.
Host institution
9052 ZWIJNAARDE - GENT
Belgium
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.