Objective
Dystrophin is a large cytoskeletal protein that makes a bridge between the cytoskeletal actin microfilaments in muscle cells and the extracellular matrix, through the Dystrophin-Dystroglycan complex located at the plasma membrane. This strong link is responsible for conferring resistance to muscle contraction. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is an X-chromosome linked disease caused by a mutation on the Dystrophin gene that results in damage to muscle fibers. Affected individuals rarely live beyond the third decade of life. Gene therapy is being trialed to replace the mutant protein. Since Dystrophin is a large protein, proposed gene therapies employ truncated versions of Dystrophin. Therapy faces delays because of poor understanding of the protein stability and levels required for functional recovery in the in vivo context. This proposed project aims to explore how Dystrophin stability and turnover is modulated by its structural domains, taking advantage of cutting edge in vivo imaging techniques applied to the zebrafish model. Several truncated Dystrophin constructs, containing different combinations of specific rod regions, are used on trials. The hypothesis that these differ in their ability to replace natural Dystrophin will be tested. By imaging Dystrophin-GFP fusions after genetic manipulation of single cells in the live animal, we will determine Dystrophin dynamics and function in the living organism at the single cell level, leading to insights into cytoskeletal biology. We will test the ability of truncated human Dystrophins to rescue zebrafish dystrophin mutants and determine how much, and when, Dystrophin is required to rescue muscle structure and function. Our proposal strongly promotes transfer of knowledge between developmental biology and applied clinical research. The project will establish the applicant as a key member of a multidisciplinary international team aiming to develop time- and cost-effective initial screens for gene therapeutics.
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.
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering gene therapy
- natural sciences biological sciences developmental biology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology muscular dystrophies duchenne muscular dystrophy
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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
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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
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.