Objective
Age-Age-related decline in organ function and regenerative capacity poses an escalating challenge to healthcare systems worldwide by driving the rising incidence of age-related diseases. While the liver stands out among mammalian organs for its exceptional regenerative potential, the mechanisms underlying its age-related loss of function and regeneration remain unresolved. The intricate communication between epithelial progenitor cells and their non-epithelial niche—essential for orchestrating liver regeneration—has not been mapped in the context of aging, leaving a major gap in our understanding of how aging impairs liver repair.
I hypothesize that disrupted progenitor-niche signalling causes the decline in liver function and regeneration with age. I propose AgingNiche, the first comprehensive research programme to map and test age-related changes in liver cell-cell communication. Enabled by my novel work on tissue-derived liver organoids, which contain both progenitors and niche, I will integrate tissue analysis, advanced in vitro organoid modelling, and in vivo mouse studies to understand progenitor-niche interactions during steady-state aging and regenerative challenge, directly testing how age alters regenerative signalling.
Specifically, I will:
1. Characterise liver progenitor-niche relationship in both homeostasis and regeneration across age.
2. Reconstruct aging cell-cell communication in vitro using complex organoids.
3. Test signaling interventions capable of restoring regeneration in aged livers.
AgingNiche represents a breakthrough by mechanistically decoding age-related cell signalling rewiring through integrated organoid and in vivo models. This will generate a blueprint of aging liver regeneration and reveal new therapeutic targets. My expertise in organoid systems, cell signalling, tissue biology, and advanced microscopy uniquely enable this work. Success could revolutionise strategies to rejuvenate organ function and regeneration in the elderly.
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Keywords
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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)
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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.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2026-STG
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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.
80333 Muenchen
Germany
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