Objective
Communication between neurons in the brain occurs mainly via chemical synapses. Activity-dependent changes in synaptic strength represent the cellular basis of learning and memory and depend on both the presynaptic terminal and the postsynaptic specialization. Although postsynaptic strength and presynaptic transmitter release have been extensively studied in isolation, simultaneous investigation of pre- and postsynaptic potentiation at spine synapses is still a technical challenge. The laboratory of Thomas Oertner recently established a method to optically identify and resolve the pre- and postsynaptic components of functional synapses in live tissue. The applicant will exploit and further refine this technique by combining optogenetic methods to manipulate electrical activity in the pre- and postsynaptic neurons with high-resolution imaging of structural plasticity and two-photon calcium imaging. As this all-optical approach is non-invasive it permits the investigation of the coordination of pre- and postsynaptic plasticity (transsynaptic matching) over extended time periods. With this new method the applicant wishes to study the precise temporal and molecular processes which control transsynaptic matching at a structural and functional level. As a second step the applicant intends to unravel possible retrograde signals mediated by diffusible retrograde messengers and transsynaptic cell-adhesion molecules. For this he will selectively manipulate individual components of transsynaptic signalling systems at the pre- or postsynaptic side using pharmacological (e.g. selective inhibitors) and genetic tools (shRNA and knock-out animals).
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.
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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-2009-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
4058 BASEL
Switzerland
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.