Objective
"Animal cells display characteristic, cell-type specific shapes that are precisely adapted to cell function. Cell shape alterations are a hallmark of pathology, commonly used in diagnostics. Yet, cells can also rapidly change shape in response to molecular or mechanical signals. How the balance between cell shape stability and plasticity is achieved is not understood.
Tight coupling between shape robustness and function is particularly important in epithelial cells, which adhere to each other to form protective sheets between the organism and the external world. Epithelia can form simple squamous, cuboidal or columnar sheets or become multilayered, depending on their function. Despite the importance of epithelial organisation, the mechanisms controlling epithelial cell shapes and architectures remain elusive.
This proposal will investigate the regulation, robustness and function of epithelial cell shapes and architectures. Our central hypothesis is that epithelial cells occupy a ""morphogenetic landscape"" with stable shapes that are at the same time poised to rapidly change in response to stimuli. We will establish a cross-disciplinary research programme, combining molecular cell biology, quantitative biophysics, advanced imaging, modelling and epithelial mechanobiology to address this hypothesis. Using in vitro models as well as Drosophila and mouse in vivo epithelia, we will uncover the molecular and mechanical mechanisms of shape specification and plasticity, and the biomechanical basis of morphological transitions in epithelia. We will then explore how these morphological transitions are adapted to drive emergence of multilayered epithelia, required for barrier function in vertebrates. Finally, we will interrogate feedbacks between morphogenesis and fate specification in epithelial cells. Our synergistic collaboration will reveal how epithelial architectures emerge and evolve, and unveil fundamental principles of the cross-talk between cell shape and fate.
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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.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pathology
- natural sciences biological sciences biophysics
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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-SYG - HORIZON ERC Synergy 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-2025-SyG
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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.
CB2 1TN CAMBRIDGE
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.