Project description DEENESFRITPL Hypogonadism and epigenetics – role in depression Hypogonadism, the decrease in the production of gonadal hormones due to ageing or other medical reasons, has been associated with an increased risk of mood disorders like depression. Accumulating evidence suggests that epigenetic changes due to stress or other environmental factors can also lead to depression. However, reciprocal interactions between hypogonadism, stress, epigenetic modifications, and depression remain understudied. The EU-funded EstroGen project will apply an interdisciplinary method to investigate the combinatorial effect of hypogonadism/stress on the epigenome and its role in depression. The project will use preclinical models to identify new connections between hypogonadism and epigenetic modifications and hypogonadism-related epigenetic biomarkers to predict the subsequent development of depression. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Major depressive disorder afflicts ~16% of the population and is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Classical antidepressants take weeks-to-months for clinical efficacy and only a sub-population of patients responds to treatment, highlighting the need for the development of novel rapid-acting and effective pharmacotherapies. Hypogonadism, the decrease in the production of gonadal hormones occurring due to ageing or several other medical conditions, has been associated with an increased risk for development of mood disorders, including depression. Accumulating evidence suggests that epigenetic changes induced by stress or other environmental factors might also contribute to the development of depression; however, the reciprocal interactions between hypogonadism, stress, epigenetic modifications and depression has received limited attention. During this project, my in-depth knowledge in studying the role of gonadal hormones in the pathophysiology of mood disorders will be combined with expertise of the Host lab in assessing epigenetic mechanisms of disease, to identify novel associations between hypogonadism and epigenetic modifications underpinning and/or predicting susceptibility for depression development. In particular, EstroGen proposes an interdisciplinary approach to investigate the combinatorial effect of hypogonadism/stress on epigenome and their role in depression, using preclinical models. In addition, this project aims to identify hypogonadism-related epigenetic biomarkers to predict subsequent development of depression. Importantly, this fellowship will propel my academic career and help me become a scientific leader at the interface of epigenetics, gonadal hormones and mood disorders, by acting as a stepping stone towards securing future research funding and acquiring a tenure track position in Europe. Fields of science medical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiologypathophysiologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsepigenetics Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2020 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2020 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panel Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS Net EU contribution € 145 941,12 Address Avenue panepistimiou 2109 aglantzi 1678 Nicosia Cyprus See on map Region Κύπρος Κύπρος Κύπρος Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
