Project description
Cracking the code of brain ageing
As we get older, our brain starts to accumulate damaged mitochondria. It undergoes subtle changes in gene regulation, which can contribute to neurodegeneration. Mitophagy, the natural process that clears faulty mitochondria, starts to slow with age. This is why boosting it has shown promise for protecting neurons. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MitoEpigeNeAge project will use the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), along with optogenetics and super-resolution imaging, to uncover how mitophagy influences redox-regulated epigenetic changes in ageing neurons. By identifying molecular links between mitochondrial quality control and gene regulation, the project could open new paths to tackling age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Objective
"The ""MitoEpigeNeAge"" research proposal seeks to uncover the molecular mechanisms of age-related neurodegeneration by focusing on the interplay between mitophagy, redox-regulated histone methylation, and neuronal death. Brain ageing is characterized by the accumulation of damaged mitochondria and epigenetic changes, leading to neurodegeneration. Mitophagy, the process that clears damaged mitochondria, declines with age but extends lifespan and offers neuroprotection when activated. However, its impact on the epigenome remains unclear. The project will utilize Caenorhabditis elegans due to its well-defined nervous system and evolutionary conservation of neuronal ageing mechanisms. Advanced technologies will analyse chromatin accessibility and gene expression in redox-sensitive neurons. Super-resolution imaging and optogenetics will allow precise manipulation of mitochondrial damage and mitophagy in live animals. Key objectives include: 1) Monitoring chromatin accessibility, histone methylation, and gene expression in wild-type and mitophagy-deficient worms; 2) Developing in vivo reporters to track chromatin modifications during ageing and mitophagy induction; 3) Using optogenetics to assess the effects of mitochondrial damage on histone methylation in neurons; 4) Exploring if mitophagy-inducing interventions provide neuroprotection through changes in histone methylation linked to redox homeostasis; 5) Conducting a genetic screen to find mitophagy modulators that enhance mitochondrial quality control, histone methylation, and resistance to neurodegeneration. This project supports the researcher’s long-term goals and the MSCA's mission to promote innovative research. Its successful completion will greatly enhance understanding of age-related neuronal decline, with significant benefits for human health. The MSCA grant would be transformative, providing essential resources to advance the research and establish the researcher as a group leader in the ageing field."
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 neurobiology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics epigenetics epigenomes
- 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.1.2 - 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.
105 61 ATHINA
Greece
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.