Objective
The aim of this proposal is to investigate the path of differentiation of retinal precursor cells in the vertebrate eye, using both medaka and zebrafish as model organisms. The neurons andglia of the retina all develop from a population of dividing precursor cells which have the potential to differentiate into any one of the cell types making up the mature retina.
As precursor cells undergo terminal differentiation, they must coordinate cell fate choice with morphological changes so that the appropriate cells are formed in the correct position within the retina. Little is understood about how this is achieved in vivo. I propose to mark precursor cells with fluorescent proteins and use time-lapse confocal microscopy to follow precursor cells in the living embryo as they differentiate, in order to better understand the morphological and other changes that cells must undergo as they mature.
This should give us a detailed picture of how retinal cells differentiate into functional neurons: a picture, which is currently lacking in the field. I also intend to approach the problem of how the retina is formed from a genetic perspective, using medaka mutants generated in the host laboratory. A number of mutants with retinal defects have been identified, whose molecular nature is unknown. I will map and clone one or more of these mutants, thus identifying new genes required for retinal development. This proposal will provide me with a wide range of new skills, which will be invaluable to me in my scientific career.
In making the switch from Drosophila to fish, I will broaden my knowledge of developmental biology, and learn a set of new techniques for the study of vertebrate development and genetics. In addition, the scientific community of EMBL will provide a stimulating atmosphere in which to do research, from which I will benefit greatly.
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 cell biology
- natural sciences biological sciences developmental biology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine ophthalmology
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy confocal microscopy
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine embryology
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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.
FP6-2004-MOBILITY-5
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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
HEIDELBERG
Germany
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.