Project description
The role of fibroblasts in vascular function and ageing
Ageing cells progressively lose their structural properties and physiological function. With respect to the vascular system, changes in the vascular wall due to ageing could translate into loss of arterial elasticity and reduced compliance. In turn, this increases the risk for hypertension as well as atherosclerotic and cardiovascular disease. The EU-funded FIB-AGE project focuses on the role of fibroblasts in vascular function and ageing. The project will employ a multi-disciplinary approach to characterise different mesenchymal cell populations at the single-cell level. Identification of key molecular players promoting vascular ageing and dysfunction will lead to novel therapeutic targets and interventions.
Objective
Vascular ageing is a major cause of cardiovascular disease, but effective treatment for fibrotic effects of vascular ageing is lacking. Recent studies show that fibroblasts exhibit physiological and pathological functions beyond their central role in fibrosis. Supporting this view of the field, the host lab recently showed great intra-vascular fibroblast plasticity in atherosclerotic and ageing murine arteries. We hypothesize that vascular dysfunction and fibrosis with ageing originate from altered fibroblast plasticity and function.
As part of my career restart, I will join an excellent laboratory, globally recognized for its expertise in advanced vascular biology research, embedded in a modern research institute, equipped with outstanding training facilities. I will combine my acquired scientific, technical and management skills with the infrastructure and expertise of the host lab to comprehensively study ageing-related fibroblast plasticity and to reveal the function of distinct fibroblast subsets in vascular function and ageing. I will combine the hosts cutting-edge high throughput techniques, including single cell sequencing and a newly established fibroblast functionality screening platform (FIBROSCREEN), with my expertise in vascular contractility assessment. I will study fibroblast function and plasticity in vivo, in vitro and in interventional studies ex vivo, in so far unimaginable detail. By sophisticated integration of this obtained data, I will identify key fibroblast players promoting vascular ageing and dysfunction.
With this strategy, I will be the first to reveal subsets of fibroblasts in vascular ageing, to couple their function to vascular ageing progression and to suggest first interventional targets for future exploitation. Together with career guidance by the host, concomitant training opportunities, and a clear plan for dissemination this will ensure my integration into European academia as an independent researcher.
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.
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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.
6200 MD Maastricht
Netherlands
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.