Objective
The neocortex is a fascinating brain structure, as it is the seat of mammalian, and notably primate, higher cognitive abilities. In the primate lineage, different neocortex morphology, in form of size and folding differences, has evolved. The development of the neocortex, and particularly of the different neocortex morphology, depends primarily on the precise regulation of the activity and behavior of cortical neural stem and progenitor cells (cNPCs), a regulation that is primarily mediated by transcription factors. One of the largest transcription factor families is the C2H2 zinc finger transcription factors (C2H2-ZFTFs), which also significantly expanded during primate evolution. Previous studies suggest that these transcription factors could be important regulators of primate neocortex development and evolution. Here, I propose that differential expression of these C2H2-ZFTFs is one essential cause of the differences in neocortex morphology between different primate species. To address this hypothesis, I plan to first identify expression differences of C2H2-ZFTFs in cNPCs of different primate species by transcriptome analysis of fetal human, macaque, and marmoset neocortex. These differences will then be tested for a functional role in cNPCs using electroporation and stable genetic modification of brain organoids. Finally, for C2H2-ZFTFs with a functional role in cNPCs, the downstream gene regulatory network will be uncovered by identification of the indirect and direct targets using RNAseq and ChIP-exo of in vitro differentiated neural progenitor cells. This will lead to a better understanding of the role of C2H2-ZFTFs in the regulation of cNPCs, while also identifying their contribution to primate neocortex development and evolution that has led to different primate neocortex morphology. This is also likely to provide novel insights into the formation of cortical malformations (e.g. microcephaly or lissencephaly).
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 chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry bioelectrochemistry electroporation
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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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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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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-2021-STG
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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.
37077 GOTTINGEN
Germany
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.