Objective
We postulate a novel cell biological mechanism termed axonuclear communication which functions to link glial cell cytoplasm with neuronal cell bodies via transfer of protein-synthesizing units and mRNA from glia to axon, local protein synthesis of critic al components in the axon, and importinmediated axonal retrograde transport of the signaling complexes thus created. Our central aim is to understand and control axonuclear communication to eventually allow support and therapeutic intervention for diseas ed and damaged nerve cells via engineering critical steps along the glia-axonneuronal cell body route. We will elucidate the mechanisms involved in glia to axon transfer of ribosomes and importin transcripts and their local translation, and in importin-ta rgeted retrograde trafficking along axons to the neuronal cell body and nucleus. In addition we will examine the involvement of axonuclear communication in motor neuron disease, in viral invasion of the nervous system, and in neuropathic pain mechanisms. The potential impact of understanding and controlling axonuclear communication is significant both in terms of basic understanding of how the nervous system works, and in terms of potential downstream applications in a range of clinical settings. The lat ter include the very exciting possibility of utilizing the system for targeting therapeutic support or gene therapy to the brain. One may conceive using axonuclear communication mechanisms to target desired molecules from the periphery to specific locati ons in the CNS, or to improve delivery of a neuroprotective gene to defined neuronal populations. The extreme difficulty of transfecting neurons with exogenous genes is well known, and therein lies perhaps the most promising impact of the project, if we can develop knowledge that will allow future introduction of gene therapy to neurons by transfecting glia with vectors engineered to enter neurons via the axonuclear communication route.
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 neurobiology
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering gene therapy
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
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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.
FP6-2003-NEST-B-1
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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
AMSTERDAM
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.