Objective
Normal physiology depends on defined functional output of differentiated cells. A century of Developmental–Biology studies revealed diverse mechanisms for differentiation, however once ‘terminally’ differentiated, cells are thought to naïvely stay put. However differentiated cells are surprisingly fragile, for example, phenotypic collapse and de–differentiation of β–cells was recently discovered in pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. These discoveries necessitate investigations of key questions: How is cell–type identity robustly maintained for decades in the adult organism? What are the genetic mechanisms for continuous maintenance of differentiation and identity? microRNAs, are known to impart robustness to differentiation. Do they play important roles in maintenance of adult β–cell identity?
Our overarching objective is to explore the exciting hypotheses that
(i) Networks of microRNA and protein–coding genes are required to maintain adult cell identity.
(ii) microRNAs confer robustness to adult β–cell identity by repressing disallowed genes that are deleterious to β–cells.
(iii) Dysregulated microRNA disrupt cell identity and is a likely vector of pathology.
Our planned research has the potential of producing conceptual breakthroughs including:
(1) Revolutionary view of microRNAs as agents of adult cell identity and discoveries of specific microRNAs that are crucial for maintaining β–cell identity
(2) Experimental discovery of targets and networks involved in adult β–cell de-differentiation.
(3) In–vivo evidence for combinatorial action of multiple microRNAs in control of β–cell identity.
(4) Uncovering new links from de–differentiation and into metabolic diseases that may drive future medical innovation through usage of small RNAs to reinforce β–cell differentiation.
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 developmental biology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine endocrinology diabetes
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pathology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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-CoG
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
7610001 Rehovot
Israel
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.