Project description
Taking a closer look at human brain evolution
The human brain is unique. While all brains are made up of a grouping of nerve cells, human brain development is characterised by prolonged timing of maturation of cortical neurons compared with other species. The resulting ‘neoteny’ may constitute a key evolutionary mechanism enabling the exceptional gain of complexity of human brains compared to other animals. The EU-funded NEUROTEMPO project will investigate neuronal maturation timing. It will use an innovative screening platform for human cortical neuron maturation. Studying the factors that accelerate neuronal maturation, the project will shed light on chromatin remodelling. It will also determine the impact of manipulating neuronal maturation timing at the circuit level, using a new model of in vivo human neuron plasticity.
Objective
Human brain development is characterized by a prolonged timing of maturation of cortical neurons compared with other species. The resulting ‘neoteny’ may constitute a key evolutionary mechanism enabling the exceptional gain of complexity of human brains compared to other animals. However the molecular mechanisms underlying human neuronal neoteny, and its impact on circuit function, are largely unknown.
We previously discovered that human cortical neurons transplanted in the mouse cortex develop along their species-specific timeline, pointing to cell-intrinsic mechanisms as major players in the timing of neuronal development. We also recently found that mitochondria dynamics and function regulate neurogenesis through direct impact on chromatin remodeling, and that they display striking species-specific differences during cortical neuron maturation.
These data lead us to propose that mitochondria and metabolism act as key species-specific modifiers on the timing of cortical neuron maturation, through epigenetic effects on the underlying gene regulatory network, ultimately leading to human neural neoteny.
To test this radical hypothesis we will identify which molecular features of mitochondria and metabolism differ during cortical neuron maturation of mouse, macaque and human species. Then we will test the impact of the species-specific molecular features on neuronal maturation timing, using an innovative screening platform for human cortical neuron maturation. Factors that accelerate neuronal maturation will be studied by focusing on their effect on chromatin remodeling. Finally we will determine the impact of manipulating neuronal maturation timing at the circuit level, using a new model of in vivo human neuron plasticity.
This project will shed new light on how developmental timing uniquely controls human brain structure and function, with far-reaching implications for our understanding of neural evolution, plasticity and disease.
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.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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-ADG - Advanced 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-2020-ADG
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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.
9052 ZWIJNAARDE - GENT
Belgium
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