Objective
Sleep is essential, yet its core functions and regulatory mechanisms are not fully understood. The synaptic homeostasis hypothesis suggests sleep helps normalize synapse strength and number accumulated during wakefulness. We have developed a zebrafish model for directly visualizing dynamic synaptic changes in single neurons across sleep/wake states. Our research indicates that synaptic changes in single neurons vary significantly across similar neuronal types under baseline conditions. Notably, only sleep periods with high sleep pressure—such as at the start of the night, after sleep deprivation, or with artificially elevated adenosine levels—support net synaptic removal. Aim 1 investigates how sleep/wake-dependent changes in synaptic number and strength relate to neuronal activity. We will use single-neuron synapse labeling combined with genetically encoded calcium imaging to observe how activity affects synaptic dynamics during sleep and wakefulness. Chemogenetic tools will help us test if wake activity shapes subsequent synaptic changes during sleep and if single-synapse activity tags synapses for preservation or removal. Aim 2 explores how sleep pressure signals affect single neurons. By mapping adenosine and noradrenaline release with new sensors across the sleep/wake cycle, we will analyze their impact on sleep-dependent synaptic changes, including in zebrafish sleep homeostasis mutants. Aim 3 examines how synaptic dynamics influence behavioral states. Using transgenic zebrafish to track synapses in key sleep/wake-regulating neurons (e.g. galaninergic, serotonergic, orexin/hypocretin, and noradrenaline-producing neurons), we will investigate if changes in synaptic dynamics are related to sleep pressure and how they affect behavioral state transitions. This project advances our understanding of sleep by employing novel imaging and genetic tools in zebrafish to provide insights into the interplay between sleep pressure, neuronal activity, and synaptic dynamics.
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 chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkaline earth metals
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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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) ERC-2024-ADG
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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.
WC1E 6BT LONDON
United Kingdom
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.