Project description
The role of microRNA methylation in epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterised by seizures which are triggered by abnormal neural activity in the brain. Research over the years has provided valuable insight into the molecular mechanism underlying epileptogenesis. The EU-funded MethylMiR project focuses on microRNAs (miRNAs), short, single-stranded RNA molecules known for their role in transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Researchers wish to understand how miRNA methylation may affect neural activity in the brain. They will evaluate methylated miRNAs in the hippocampus in the brain in epilepsy and also test the possibility of targeting miRNA methylation as a therapeutic intervention in a disease mouse model.
Objective
Evidence is emerging that persistent changes in gene expression regulation and post-transcriptional regulation underlies the epileptogenic process. The current proposal builds on preliminary data which suggests that microRNAs (miRNA), which have recently emerged as critical regulators of epileptogenesis, may be subjected to adenosine methylation (m6A), and that this process may also be disrupted in epilepsy, representing an unexplored layer of gene expression regulation likely to influence neuronal activity and seizures. The current proposal will evaluate the effect of m6A on miRNA function, to understand how this influences normal brain behaviour and epileptogenesis. To achieve this, a combined strategy will be used, including interdisciplinary approaches, international and national secondments (University of Aarhus and RSCI), and intersectoral collaborations, which encompasses clinicians (Beaumont Hospital) and industry (STORM Therapeutics). First, hippocampal m6A-tagged miRNAs both during epileptogenesis and in chronic epilepsy will be profiled using an adapted m6A-seq approach using an epilepsy mouse model and resected human epilepsy brain tissue. Then, the effect of m6A on miRNA function and neuronal integrity will be evaluated by targeting miRNA methylation in both mouse and human cell lines. Next, clinical outcomes of pharmacological targeting of miRNA methylation on epilepsy development will be evaluated using an epilepsy mouse model. Together this proposal represents the first miRNA methylation study in the brain, which is hoped will illuminate novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of epilepsy. This project is ideal to further my interest in translational neuroscience while also developing a network of collaborators across Europe and develop my scientific skills. This fellowship represents the best option to achieve my career goal of establishing myself as an independent researcher and consolidating my career in the European research environment.
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
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology epilepsy
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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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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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.
4 DUBLIN
Ireland
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.