Objective
Gap junctions are intercellular channels present in almost all epithelia and in many other specialized tissues. The correct function and formation of gap junctions are involved in diseases such as hypertension, deafness or cataracts. Gap junctions are formed by pairs of hexameric half-channels called connexons, which coaxially dock to connect two adjacent cells, assuring communication, signalling and adhesion between cells. Junctional microdomains are known to be form by thousands of closely packed connexon pairs. Even if the function as intercellular channels of gap junctions is widely studied, the forces supported by connexon pairs and the biophysical mechanism of microdomain formation are still unknown. The overall goal of this project is to determine the biophysical mechanisms of the adhesion strength of gap junctions. The proposed research will make use of state of the art biochemistry methods to purify and reconstitute connexons from eye lens fiber cells into raw membranes extracts. These will be combined with high end biophysical tools, atomic force microscopy and biomembrane force probe, to directly measure the binding forces between connexon pairs and to determine the kinetics and biophysical mechanisms of the aggregation and assembly of gap junctions. The expected outcomes of the proposed research will provide the first direct measure, at single and multiple molecule levels, of the adhesion strength of gap junctions explaining its underlying biophysical mechanisms. The interest of the project covers disciplines such as biophysics, molecular biology and nanotechnology.
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 biochemistry
- engineering and technology nanotechnology
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences biophysics
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology
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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.
FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008
See other projects for this call
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
75231 Paris
France
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.