Project description
Multiscale characterisation of the axolotl brain and its regeneration
Axolotls are salamanders with the unique capacity for brain regeneration after major injury. Details regarding molecular mechanisms and the degree of circuit functionality and behavioural recovery are not known. The ERC-funded AxoBrain project aims to establish the axolotl as a model system for the study of central nervous system regeneration leading to innovative strategies for regenerating mammalian tissue. AxoBrain will map the brain cell types and connections at molecular, cellular and circuit levels. It will also establish protocols to study damage response and circuit regeneration mechanisms. Outcomes will leverage multiomics, behavioural assays and CRISPR perturbation among others.
Objective
The Axolotl is an extraordinary model system to study regeneration in tetrapods. Remarkably, the axolotl is
able to regenerate parts of the brain after major injury, however the molecular mechanisms that orchestrate
regeneration are unclear, and the completeness of functional circuit and behavioral recovery is unknown. Our
vision is to develop the axolotl model system to rigorously study central nervous system regeneration, and
use discoveries from the axolotl to design novel strategies for regenerating mammalian tissues. The mapping
of brain cell types and connections in the axolotl will also have a profound impact on the understanding of
vertebrate brain organization and evolution.
In AxoBrain, we will integrate scale-crossing technologies to map the axolotl brain at molecular, cellular
and circuit resolution, and establish assays to understand how brain cells respond to damage and behavioral
circuits regenerate. Our project will be achieved through the following objectives: 1) We will generate a
spatiotemporal multiomic atlas of the axolotl brain at single cell resolution. 2) We will generate a
connectome of the axolotl retino-tectal-hindbrain circuit and develop behavioral and circuit functional assays
in response to visual stimulation. 3) We will establish injury assays and assess regeneration through
behavioral, connectomic and single-cell multiomic analysis. 4) Finally, we will apply CRISPR perturbation
screens with single-cell genomic readout in vivo and in vitro to identify modulators of regeneration.
AxoBrain utilizes quantitative and state-of-the-art methods to explore how the axolotl can regenerate neural
circuitry after injury. We have assembled a team with synergistic skill sets that will be required to achieve
our vision. This project is a groundbreaking starting point to rigorously investigate how mammals have lost
regeneration capabilities over evolution, and will serve as a springboard to design novel strategies for
regenerating
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.
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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-ERC-SYG - HORIZON ERC Synergy Grants
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) ERC-2023-SyG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
1030 WIEN
Austria
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.