Project description
The role of mechanical forces on stem cell behaviour
Throughout life, tissues grow, repair, and regenerate through the activity of a specialised population of cells, called stem cells. Stem cells can both self-renew and give rise to differentiated tissue cells. This behaviour is controlled by the local microenvironment where they reside, known as the stem cell niche. While the chemical signals within this niche have been thoroughly studied, little is known about the role of physical forces on stem cell behaviour. The ERC-funded ENCODE project will investigate how mechanical cues, such as tension and compression, regulate intestinal stem cells during development, disease, and cancer. Project results will reveal how altered mechanical environments may be associated with enterocolitis and colorectal cancer.
Objective
Tissue turnover and regeneration are orchestrated by stem cells that both differentiate and self-renew. The balance between self-renewal, proliferation, and commitment depends on the stem cell microenvironment, or “niche”. Importantly, stem cells are not simply passive responders to their niches; instead, they play an integral role in building and communicating with their immediate microenvironment. Although multiple studies have described the molecular and cellular composition of the niche to date, it is still unclear if and how the mechanical properties of the microenvironment regulate stem cell emergence and maintenance.
This research project investigates the intricate dynamics between mechanical cues, the stromal niche, and stem cell behavior within the context of intestinal development, pathology, and tumorigenesis. Using multidisciplinary methodologies, this study aims to uncover how the mechanical microenvironment influences the emergence of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) during development, with a focus on substrate stiffness, tension, compression and topology. Additionally, the research delves into the role of the stromal niche in Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), a severe inflammatory disorder in preterm infants, seeking to elucidate altered stromal-ISC interactions that could contribute to the physiopathology of the disease. Finally, the project also explores the mechano-sensing function of PIEZO channels in colorectal tumorigenesis, investigating their impact on cancer stem cell properties and downstream signaling pathways.
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.
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)
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Topic(s)
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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.
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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-2025-STG
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75794 PARIS
France
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