Objective
Parkinsons disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by misfolding and aggregation of the protein alpha-synuclein (αS). Long before clinical symptoms arise small toxic αS oligomers (αSO) are already present and causing cellular membrane damage and seeding aggregation. Mounting evidence indicates that cell membranes not only recruit αS but may actively catalyze aggregation and facilitate transmission between cells. However, direct observation of these early-stage, membrane-seeded events remains technically challenging and hidden in current screening assays.
SPARTA (Single-Vesicle Platform for Real-Time Detection of Membrane-Catalyzed Aggregation and Transmission) reframes the problem by shifting away from protein-centric detection to focusing on the protein triggered membrane response, establishing a sensitive and single-vesicle platform capable of direct observation of αSO interactions with membranes in real-time. The platform will track individual protein aggregates and map the effects on synthetic designed lipid libraries and natural extracellular vesicles and synaptic vesicles. It enables detection of rare but critical events such as membrane leakage, pore formation, protein membrane transmission, and early aggregation which are invisible in conventional bulk assays due to the highly heterogenous nature of both membranes and protein aggregates. Through controlled lipid screening and live-cell imaging, SPARTA will systematically uncover mechanistic insight in how membrane composition influences aggregation and transmission of αSO.
Ultimately, using SPARTA, a miniaturized diagnostic platform will be developed based on arrays of fluorescently barcoded single-vesicle and state-of-the-art microscopy, capable of detecting αSO with minimal material input and time, paving the way for early, non-invasive detection of PD and screening of therapeutic candidates.
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 cell biology
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology neurodegenerative diseases parkinson
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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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) ERC-2026-STG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
8000 Aarhus C
Denmark
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.