Project description
Neuron-pair study of ‘developmental time’ and circuit formation
The time in a person’s life at which neurons are ‘born’ – developmental time – impacts circuit formation, and thus could also affect aberrant circuit formation as seen in autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the TimeToConnect project aims to shed new light on this phenomenon by conducting the first comprehensive study on how birth date relates to connectivity in an entire neuronal structure. The team will study connections between neurons from different regions of the visual system born at the same time. To do so, they will leverage the recently published complete synaptic-resolution connectome of the Drosophila fly brain, single-cell RNA sequencing and genetic manipulations
Objective
Several neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia have their roots in aberrant circuit formation. Hence, understanding the principles underlying neuronal connectivity bears fundamental implications for the treatment of these diseases. However, these principles are not well understood, partly due to the lack of information about how developmental processes affect connectivity. While previous research has primarily relied on the study of wiring genes, it has become increasingly clear that expression of these alone cannot explain circuit formation, and hence developmental time (i.e. when neurons are born) is likely to play an important role. To address the role of developmental time in circuit formation, I will perform the first comprehensive study of how birth date relates to connectivity in an entire neuronal structure. To do so, I will use the genetically accessible Drosophila visual system and study how neurons generated at the same time from two different progenitor regions connect to each other during development. I will use cutting-edge single-cell RNA sequencing of one of these regions at neurogenesis stages to determine the identity of the neurons generated and their birth order. Taking advantage of the existing whole fly brain connectome, I will identify their synaptic partners from the other progenitor region, for which the birth order is known. Performing precise genetic manipulations to uncouple birth date and molecular identity, I will address the role of both components in correct partner matching. Moreover, I will generate the first scRNA-seq datasets of Musca domestica and Aedes aegypti visual systems during neurogenesis and perform circuit mapping to determine whether the mechanisms uncovered in Drosophila are conserved. This ambitious project will shed light into the mechanisms of circuit connectivity during development and evolution, likely providing insights into the regulators that go awry in disease.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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-2023-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.
75794 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.