Objective Vertebrate brain development and function require the life-long regulation of neural stem cell maintenance and neuronal production. Recent evidence, in part obtained in the host laboratory, suggest that the microRNA miR-9 might be an important regulator of neurogenesis, by driving neural progenitors towards differentiation. Notably, injection of a miR-9 morpholino antisense oligonucleotide into zebrafish embryos decreases neuronal differentiation in the embryonic hindbrain. The spatio-temporal expression pattern of miR-9 is suggestive of a neuronal subtype-specific action. The researcher will thus characterize more precisely the neuronal deficit of miR-9 morphant embryos, using markers of different neuronal populations. To understand the mechanisms underlying miR-9 function, the interaction between miR-9 and selected in silico predicted targets will be tested, and an innovative microarray-based biochemical approach for identifying targets in vivo will be developped. The NEuromiR project also includes epistasis experiments to connect miR-9 action with that of other neurogenesis regulators (Rest, Her) expressed in progenitors. Finally, in a longer term and to extend the findings to later developmental stages and adulthood, zebrafish transgenic lines that enable to conditionally enhance or deplete miR-9 function will be engineered. Together, this project will shed light onto the fine-tuning of neurogenesis control by microRNAs. Fields of science medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologycells technologiesstem cellsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineembryology Keywords Molecular genetics Neurogenesis Zebrafish differentiation microRNAs neural progenitors Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008 - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator HELMHOLTZ ZENTRUM MUENCHEN DEUTSCHES FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM FUER GESUNDHEIT UND UMWELT GMBH Address Ingolstadter landstrasse 1 85764 Neuherberg Germany See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Landkreis Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Jürgen Ertel (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 160 996,91
