Objective
Synaptic connections within the adult brain are not fixed and stable but remarkably flexible. This reorganisation of synaptic connectivity is a basic principle of neuronal plasticity and believed to represent the cellular basis for learning and memory function. Dendritic spines form the dynamic postsynaptic component of most excitatory synapses in the brain. Recent studies from the host laboratory revealed the invasion of microtubules (MT) into dendritic spines. Several lines of evidence indicate that synaptic activation increases MT entry in spines. However, it remains unclear how synaptic signals trigger intraspinal MTs and what is the effect of MT invasion for spine structure and function.
The proposed project is aimed to investigate the functional consequences of dynamic microtubules in spine plasticity. We will combine molecular biology, organotypic slice cultures, quantitative/high resolution microscopy, and electrophysiology to investigate the role of MT based mechanisms in synaptic plasticity. In this application we propose to: Objective 1. Characterise synaptic signals that control MT spine entry. We will analysis different neuronal activation patterns as potential triggers of MT spine invasions. Objective 2. Determine the role of MT spine entry for structural spine plasticity. Functionally, dynamic MTs can contribute to dendritic spine plasticity by regulating intraspinal actin dynamics or cargo transport into spines. We will test whether MT entry stabilize/modify the invaded spine in slice cultures and analyse the role of dynamic MT in the development of immature dendritic protrusions. Objective 3. Examine the role of dynamic MT for cargo trafficking into spines. The role of dynamic MT for transport of cargo into spines will be studied by analysing kinesin/dynein motor dynamics during spine invasion of MTs. The results of this project will contribute to the fundamental understanding of spine and synapse plasticity.
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 physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology
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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-IEF
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.
Coordinator
3584 CS Utrecht
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.