Project description
Study examines the neurological disturbances of ciguatera poisoning
Ciguatoxins are toxins found in seafood that stem from the consumption of dinoflagellates or other toxic elements by fish, and they cause a type of food poisoning in humans called ciguatera. Specific sensory disturbances induced by ciguatera suggest that ciguatoxins activate specific subsets of primary or dorsal horn somatosensory neurons. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SENSO-CIGUA project aims to investigate the molecular markers of primary and superficial dorsal horn sensory neurons responding to ciguatoxins and also the molecular players involved in the spontaneous itch and cold allodynia caused by these toxins.
Objective
The IF-GF project aims to decipher in vivo the neurobiology of sensory disturbances induced by ciguatoxins (CTXs), which cause ciguatera fish poisoning and have recently become a European food safety concern as emerging toxins. CTXs are the most potent known activators of voltage-gated sodium channels, without isoform specificity. The strong predominance of specific sensory disturbances in ciguatera suggests that CTXs activate specific subsets of primary and/or dorsal horn somatosensory neurons, which is consistent with the population coding theory. The first specific objective is to characterize the molecular markers of primary and superficial dorsal horn (SDH) sensory neurons responding to CTXs and the molecular players involved in the CTX-induced spontaneous itch and cold allodynia. Next, the planned action aims to examine the role of sensitization of sensory receptors and channels in the sensations evoked, and to identify the mediators and mechanisms involved. To achieve this, the methods used will combine a behavioural test capable of distinguishing between scratching and pain behaviours, functional methods including in vivo electrophysiological recordings in SDH neurons and calcium imaging in primary neurons, and a variety of tools comprising neurotoxic ablation, genetic invalidation, and chemogenetic inhibition of specific neuronal subpopulations. These approaches, still used by a few teams around the world to explore neural circuits, are an outstanding opportunity to advance research on sensory disorders induced by CTXs. In addition, using CTXs as singular tools, the action has the potential to uniquely complement research on itch and pain neurobiology. The fellow will benefit from the world-renowned expertise and experience of the partner laboratory (at UC Davis, USA) to acquire new technical skills and knowledge essential for her future career, and from its international network to broaden her prospects for research collaboration.
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 neurobiology
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkali metals
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkaline earth metals
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
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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.
29200 BREST
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.