Project description
The calcium conundrum in hens: from bones to eggshells
Eggshells are loaded with calcium, the same element that makes up our bones – and hens’ bones. Hens absorb calcium from their diet, store it in their bones and release it into the bloodstream following bone demineralisation on demand. Skeletal disorders among egg-laying hens are common. Despite the known coupling between bone demineralisation and calcium mobilisation for eggshell formation, the relationship between bone quality and eggshell quality is unclear. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the BonEggHens project will evaluate bone and eggshell samples over a hen’s life cycle and at all scales to address this question. Outcomes will support more sustainable farming and egg production with fewer detrimental effects to the hens.
Objective
Skeletal disorders in laying hens are a major concern for the food industry. It is well recognized that bone demineralization in laying hens is coupled to the daily mobilization of Ca for egg formation but the relation between bone properties and eggshell quality is still unclear. A key point for understanding this coupled process is reveling the factors that influence bone dissolution since the unbalance between resorption and formation is what causes bone diseases such as osteoporosis and osteogenesis imperfecta. Notably, there is limited information on how the composition, structural organization and interaction between bone mineral phase and organic matrix in different bone types influence chicken bone dissolution and its mechanical properties. BonEggHens aims to perform a systematic study, from macro to nanoscopic scale, on a large array of bone and eggshell samples representative of the hens life cycle, to assess i) the effect of the mineral labile phase and the organic matrix on bone dissolution, ii) the relation between micro and nanoscopic characteristics of hens bones to bone quality parameters (e.g. bone density, mineral crystallinity) and iii) the correlation between bone structural and compositional changes and eggshell quality. The results of the proposed study will shed light on bone/eggshell (de)mineralization processes, which will help to find solutions for a more sustainable yet productive farming system for ovo-production. Moreover, the outcome of BonEggHens has potential implications for future biomineral investigation by cutting-edge microscopy tools and, most importantly, for the study of human bone diseases resembling those in chickens. Finally, the development of the proposal will be career-defining, contributing to the professional and personal growth of the experienced researcher and providing the necessary skills and competences to increase her competitiveness and attain a permanent position in the European scientific framework.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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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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.
18071 GRANADA
Spain
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.