Objective
The subdivision of the vertebrate embryo into repeating segments called somites, from which the muscles and bones will grow, is one of the oldest problems in developmental biology, recognized by Malpighi in the 1600s. This proposal focuses on the composition, function and dynamics of a population of genetic oscillators (termed the segmentation clock) that couples the spatial elongation of the embryo with the serial formation of somites. The research proposal outlines molecular, cellular, embryological and biophysical approaches to understanding these complex temporal and spatial phenomena in the zebrafish embryo. The work delves into three main areas: identification of oscillator components, control of oscillator frequency, and coordination of the oscillations in space and time. Novel methods and technologies to measure spatial growth rates, genetic oscillations, and signaling events in real-time in the growing embryo are proposed. Mathematical simulation and analytic physical theory to describe both morphological dynamics and microscopic biochemical mechanisms are to be developed in parallel with the biological experiments. The application of theory and experiment to the segmentation clock will give a unified framework in which to make and test physical theories of collective processes and their precision and robustness in developing systems. Coordination of the field of cells that gives rise to somites by synchronized genetic oscillations is a novel paradigm for patterning tissues, raising the possibility that genetic oscillations may be widely used in embryonic patterning, differentiation and morphogenesis. Analysis of the segmentation clock should provide the key concepts and methods to explore such systems.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences developmental biology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine embryology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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-2007-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
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
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.