Project description
Understanding retinal cell division for eye repair
Emerging evidence suggests that certain retinal pigment epithelial cells can divide and help regenerate damaged tissue. Understanding how these cells control division could open new treatments for degenerative eye diseases. A key unanswered question is how the internal cell skeleton is organised during this process. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the RPE_MITOSIS project will investigate the role of Myosin7A, a motor protein that interacts with cellular support fibres and contributes to the organisation of the mitotic spindle, the structure that separates chromosomes during cell division. Using advanced microscopy and retinal organoid models, the study aims to reveal mechanisms that could support future regenerative therapies for blindness.
Objective
This proposal seeks to elucidate how the actin- and microtubule-binding motor protein Myosin7A organises the cytoskeleton during Retinal Pigment Epithelial (RPE) cell division. While the human retina has long been thought to have limited self-repair ability, new research shows it has regenerative potential, with RPE stem cells capable of undergoing cell division and repairing tissue. Unlocking the molecular mechanisms of this regeneration could revolutionise treatments for retinal degenerative diseases. However, due to the unique microenvironment and protein expression profile, the molecular mechanisms controlling RPE cell division are still unclear. Preliminary experiments suggest a previously unknown role for Myosin7A in the organisation of the mitotic spindle specific to RPE cells. In this project I aim to build upon these findings by integrating my expertise in epithelial and cytoskeletal dynamics with the host lab’s advanced ophthalmologic research pipelines. Through a bottom-up approach, I will investigate how Myosin7A influences cytoskeletal dynamics and mitotic spindle organisation, guided by the following objectives:
In Objective 1, through a combination of advanced molecular techniques and high-resolution microscopy, I aim to elucidate how Myosin7A influences both microtubule and actin dynamics in human ARPE19 cells.
Leveraging these findings, in Objective 2, I will systematically analyse the stages of mitosis to uncover the mechanisms underlying mitotic defects caused by Myosin7A depletion, shedding light on its role in mitotic spindle organisation.
To contextualise these discoveries, in Objective 3, I will translate the results to iPSC-derived retinal organoids, providing a physiologically relevant model to better understand Myosin7A's function within the complex environment of the human retina.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine ophthalmology
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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-2025-PF
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
6525 GA Nijmegen
Netherlands
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.