Project description
Zebrafish offers cues to adolescence scoliosis
Spine deformities in adolescence refer to conditions that cause abnormal curvature or alignment of the spine. Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) is the most common type of spinal deformity and leads to an ‘S’ or ‘C’ shape when viewed from the front or back. While genetic factors are believed to play a role, the exact cause of IS remains unknown. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SeRBoMo project aims to investigate body axis misalignment in zebrafish, given its biomechanical resemblance to humans. Researchers will study the role of the Reissner Fibre, a thread-like structure found in the spinal cord, on axis alignment and neuron function. SeRBoMo will provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of IS and open avenues for therapy.
Objective
Idiopatic scoliosis (IS) is a human pathology that affects 1-4% of adolescents worldwide, who suffer from spine deformities for which an effective treatment is not currently available. At present, evidence for genetic causes of IS exist, but the aetiology of this pathology is still not understood. The zebrafish is a powerful organism to model human pathologies that entail body axis misalignment as, by swimming in a viscous liquid, its spine is subject to forces similar to the ones acting on the spine in bipedal position. One essential player in the establishment of embryonic zebrafish longitudinal axis is the Reissner Fibre (RF). The RF consists of SCO-spondin protein, which, during post embryonic life, is secreted by a paraventricular organ, the SCO. Zebrafish scospondin mutants lack the RF and exhibit severe scoliotic phenotype. Remarkably, a similar scoliotic phenotype is observed in the tph2-/- zebrafish, genetically depleted of serotonin. Preliminary observations have shown that serotoninergic projections reach the SCO, in mammals and in the zebrafish. My research objective is to unravel how the neuronal activity of serotoninergic neurons can control the maintenance of a straight longitudinal body axis during the zebrafish post embryonic life. Firstly, a detailed characterisation of spine alignment in correlation to RF assembly will be carried out in the tph2-/- zebrafish. Secondly, the serotoninergic neurons projecting to the SCO will be anatomically located and mapped. Thirdly, the neuronal mechanism by which serotoninergic neurons regulate RF maintenance will be functionally investigated. The long-term goal of this research project is to gain insights in the progression of IS, and to inform preclinical research on the development of diagnostic tools, which are currently lacking.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pathology
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology mammalogy
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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-2022-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
75013 Paris
France
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.