Objective
"Scientists race to find evolutionary ‘missing links’ between major vertebrate lineages to explain the origin of new groups. In this effort, biomechanics is crucial since major transitions can spring from mechanical innovations (e.g. amphibian limbs or bird wings). Yet, biomechanics is limited due to its own missing link: we poorly understand interactions among muscle dynamics, skeletal structure and external forces of limbs on the ground. Aiming to bridge gaps in both evolution and biomechanics, PIPA offers three approaches to investigate a long-standing mystery: how did musculoskeletal transformations drive the origin and radiation of frogs? 1) PIPA combines external force measurements with in vivo and in vitro muscle physiology for insights inaccessible in other systems during locomotion. We will determine whether muscles operate near their mechanical limits. Also, we will reveal how well muscles meet the demands of various tasks (walking vs. swimming vs. jumping) to settle debates on whether muscles are ‘tuned’ for specific tasks. 2) Beyond muscle physiology, PIPA will computationally simulate the evolution of limbs in response to hypothetical selection pressures. Such models will test whether muscle dynamics (AIM 1) evolved for locomotor specialization (jumping) versus generalization for multiple tasks. Specifically, we will evaluate whether the muscular complexity of derived frogs evolved such that they can both generate extreme power and execute fine control. (3) To directly test conclusions from AIMS 1&2, PIPA uses innovative muscle-controlled paleo-robots to hypothetically ‘replay’ the anatomical and physiological transformations of frog evolution. Such integrative techniques will clarify our understanding of limb evolution, resolve long-standing evolutionary questions and discover general principles that will ultimately advance limbed robotics and prosthetics engineering."
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.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
- natural sciences biological sciences biophysics
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering robotics
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology implants
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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-2013-StG
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
NW1 OTU London
United Kingdom
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.