Objective
The mechanism by which cells migrate is well understood in vitro but far less is known about how invasive migration occurs within a three dimensional tissue. Migration of border cells in the Drosophila ovary provides excellent model system for this. Border cells delaminate from an epithelium surrounding the germ line tissue and migrate, as an 8-cell cluster, directionally towards the oocyte. To migrate, border cells must actively invade the germ line tissue. Studying their migration may therefore provide better understanding of how cancer cells metastasise.
Genetic studies have defined signalling molecules involved in guiding the migration: Two Receptor Tyrosine Kinases, PVR (PDGF/VEGF Receptor) and EGFR, act as guidance receptors. A small GTPase, Rac, and sp ecific Rac exchange factors, act downstream of the receptors. Studies of fixed tissues have also given some insight into the mechanism of migration: One border cell within the cluster initiates migration by extending a very long cellular extension (LCE) in the direction of migration. LCEs may provide the mechanical force for migration, pulling the border cell cluster towards the oocyte. What is missing for understanding the mechanism of spatially controlled guidance signalling and mechanism of movement i s to visualize these events dynamically.
I propose to develop a method of culturing and imaging Drosophila ovaries in order to observe border cell migration in real time. I will observe the behaviour of border cells and their LCEs in live ovaries to determine how the cell cluster translocates. I will also construct Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) constructs to monitor the activities of the PVR and EGFR receptors, as well as Rac activity. This will allow me to study the spatial activation of RTK signalling and Rac activity in real time. Finally, I intend to apply the tools I generate to other models of motility, such as migration of hemocytes in the Drosophila embryo.
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.
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture horticulture fruit growing
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine embryology
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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.
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.
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.
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-5
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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.
Coordinator
HEIDELBERG
Germany
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.