Objective
We seek to understand how organisms interpret complex environments to generate appropriate changes in their physiology. Specifically, we will focus on how food and temperature affect lifespan and a switch between reproductive growth versus a specialised developmental arrest (dauer) in C. elegans. Extensive work has indicated that the daf-2 insulin-like peptide (ILP) receptor plays a pivotal role in these processes, but key questions remain about how environmental inputs are linked to secretion of relevant ILP ligands. We propose to address these questions using a quantitative approach. We will use new tools to measure and manipulate the activity of neuroendocrine circuits, and exploit new technologies for automated microscopy of live C. elegans. First, we will delineate the neuroendocrine circuit by identifying ILPs, neurons and the type of neurosecretory activity that affects lifespan and dauer development. Second, we will detail how environmental information is transduced, by measuring the magnitude, kinetics and duration of environment-responsive expression of ILPs and other genes in specific neurons. Using gene expression as a new functional readout for neuroendocrine activity, we will determine how environmental, neuronal and genetic inputs regulate the activity of this neuroendocrine circuit. Third, we will address how environmental, neuronal and genetic inputs affect ILP secretion to influence lifespan and development. By combining quantitative analysis of environmental responses, neuroendocrine activity and physiological outcomes, we will determine how environmental inputs are linked to dauer development and lifespan. This integrated in vivo approach is currently only feasible in simple organisms such as C. elegans.
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 biomolecules
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
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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.
ERC-2009-StG
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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.
Host institution
WC2R 2LS London
United Kingdom
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.