Objective
Memory loss is a central symptom in different diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, and represents a significant social and economic burden for a large percentage of European citizens. Neuronal cell adhesion molecules belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgCAMs) are known to be involved in brain development processes, and also contribute to the synaptic alterations connected with memory formation in adults. The goal of this project is to elucidate the molecular, biophysical and cellular mechanisms of directed movements of neuronal growth cones, and in particular how, upon binding to the extracellular matrix or to other cells, IgCAMs control cytoskeletal dynamics and therefore synaptic plasticity. The central hypothesis of this proposal is that adhesion-mediated growth cone guidance involves a force transduced by the cytoskeleton upon IgCAM adhesion, and that this mechanical signal further stimulates Src protein tyrosine kinase activation. In order to test this hypothesis, state-of-the-art techniques will be combined in a highly interdisciplinary manner. This project lies at the interface between mechanics, cell biology, biophysics and surface physics. The proposer will use a well-established cellular model system for growth cone studies (Aplysia), state-of-the-art molecular tools (recombinant IgCAM and Src biosensor) and a high-resolution force measurement system (Atomic Force Microscopy, AFM) coupled with FRET imaging. By applying the first molecule-specific AFM measurements to live neuronal growth cones, the proposer will measure the forces transduced by IgCAMs to the growth cone cytoskeleton and at correlating them with Src activity in real time, thereby proving the force-dependence of neuronal connectivity. This proposal is related to many of the FP7 research objectives, such as “Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and New Production Technologies" and "Health”, specifically “Research on the Brain and Related Diseases, Human Development and Ageing”
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 proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology
- engineering and technology nanotechnology
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences biophysics
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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-2009-IEF
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
4 DUBLIN
Ireland
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.