Objective
The proper function of neuronal circuits in the adult brain relies heavily on glucose metabolism to ensure energy-demanding neuronal functions such as synaptic activity or long distance axonal transport. Deregulation of the energetic metabolism is strongly associated to many neurodegenerative diseases and has been linked to some neuropsychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia. However our current understanding of metabolic regulation in the developing brain and in particular in rapidly growing neurons is still fragmental.
I recently identified a novel function for the kinase LKB1 in the control of axon outgrowth and terminal branching in the mouse cortex (Courchet et al. Cell 2013). This novel function of LKB1 involves the kinase NUAK1/ARK5, a poorly studied kinase related to the metabolic regulator AMPK. Furthermore our work uncovered a completely novel mechanism by which LKB1 and NUAK1 control terminal axon branching through the capture of mitochondria at nascent presynaptic sites. However the roles of presynaptic mitochondria in developing neurons and how they contribute to axon morphogenesis remain an open question.
In this project I will to study how the regulation of glucose metabolism and mitochondria function by LKB1 and NUAK1 underlie neuron development and circuit formation in the neocortex. We will develop techniques combining live imaging of fluorescent metabolic reporters, functional metabolomics and in vivo manipulation of gene expression in mouse models to identify the relationship between glucose metabolism and axon development. My experimental plan will revolve around three independent aims that will tackle this question from a subcellular scale to circuits in vivo.
Overall, this project will provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of the neocortex and will point out some of the consequences of metabolic imbalance on the development of the brain, a question that has many important implications for public health.
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
- medical and health sciences health sciences public health
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- 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.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
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.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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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.
(opens in new window) ERC-2015-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
69622 Villeurbanne Cedex
France
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.