Project description
Decoding how ageing cells reshape skin mechanics
As skin ages, its composition and mechanical characteristics change. A key contributor is cellular senescence, a process whereby cells stop dividing and begin to disrupt tissue function. In the dermis, senescent fibroblasts accumulate and interfere with the skin’s structural matrix, weakening its mechanical resilience. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SenAgeBiomech project explores how these ageing cells alter skin mechanics and how their increased grip on the surrounding matrix plays a role in this process. Using advanced molecular techniques and a model of aged skin, the project will provide a better understanding of how ageing cells affect skin repair and structure. The findings could open the door to therapies that help skin stay stronger for longer.
Objective
Skin ageing is characterized by structural changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) that impair the mechanical properties of the tissue, such as elasticity and stiffness. A key driver of tissue and organismal ageing is cellular senescence, a state of irreversible cell-cycle arrest that triggers functional, metabolic and morphological changes. The accumulation of senescent fibroblasts in the dermis leads to impaired ECM remodelling and contributes to the mechanical decline associated with skin ageing.
This project will explore how senescence influences the biomechanical characteristics of skin, focusing on changes in cell-ECM attachment. Building on my own prior observations that senescence is associated with increased cell-ECM attachment – evidenced by larger focal adhesions and elevated adhesion forces, I will extend this analysis across multiple tissues and establish it as a hallmark of senescence. Next, I will investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying enhanced senescent cell attachment by analysing surface proteomics, the composition of focal adhesions, and the role of mTORC1 hyperactivity. Alongside, I will develop a 3D hydrogel model mimicking aged dermal ECM to enable functional studies of senescent cells under physiologically relevant conditions. Lastly, I will assess potential treatments to promote cell migration and ECM remodelling in vitro.
By integrating molecular, cellular, and biomechanical approaches, this project aims to deepen our understanding of skin ageing mechanisms, paving the way for novel therapeutic strategies to maintain skin health throughout the lifecourse.
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-2024-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.
BS8 1QU BRISTOL
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.