Project description
Statistical physics provides insight into stressed-cell states
Cells comprise highly complex microenvironments, with multiple interactions taking place simultaneously between all components. This makes the application of statistical methods to evaluate cell behaviour increasingly difficult. The EU-funded StatCell project aims to overcome this challenge by introducing an experimental and theoretical framework for the statistical physics description of cells under acute stress. Combining cutting-edge cell biology techniques, StatCell will allow the identification of those cellular network conditions that can be quantitatively predicted by a statistical physics framework. The project’s work will provide significant insight into cellular mechanisms in ageing and disease.
Objective
Statistical physics successfully accounts for phenomena involving a large number of components using a probabilistic approach with predictions for collective properties of the system. While biological cells contain a very large number of interacting components, (proteins, RNA molecules, metabolites, etc.), the cellular network is understood as a particular, highly specific, choice of interactions shaped by evolution, and therefore not amenable to a statistical physics description. My premise is that when a cell encounters an acute, but non-lethal, stress, its perturbed state can be modelled as random network dynamics, rather than as a regulated response. Strong perturbations may therefore reveal the dynamics of the underlying network that are amenable to a statistical physics description. Based on the striking similarity between our data on stressed bacteria and physical aging in disordered systems, my goal is to develop an experimental and theoretical framework for the statistical physics description of cells exposed to strong perturbations. We will critically probe the predictions of the statistical model using a multidisciplinary approach combining three frontline methodologies: (1) dynamics of single bacteria under acute stress in microfluidic devices and single cell transcriptomics; (2) theoretical framework and simulations for cellular networks under acute stress; and (3) new biophysical measurements of the transition from the regulated to the disrupted cellular network. This approach should provide a paradigm shift in the analysis of cells under stress, differentiating between conditions described by the regulation of gene networks from those that can be quantitatively predicted by a statistical physics framework. The new knowledge should lead to innovative ways of controlling the cellular network under strong perturbations, with implications ranging from new methodologies for synthetic biology to new avenues for treating bacterial infections and cancer.
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 microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
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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)
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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
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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
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2021-ADG
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91904 Jerusalem
Israel
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