Objective
Hair cells of the vertebrate cochlea have the remarkable property to transduce mechanical sound waves into electrical signals at the auditory nerve fibers. This sensory activity involves tightly regulated intracellular Ca2+ microdomains, both at the apical stereocilia level (Ca2+ influx through the mechano-sensitive channels) and the basolateral synaptic ribbon active zones (Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels). Intense hair cell activity, that is spontaneous during development or evoked by sound stimulation in mature hair cells, should produce transient focal extracellular Ca2+changes ([Ca2+] ext) in the endolymph and synaptic clefts. The question of [Ca2+] ext signaling, while importantly addressed in central neurons, has never been investigated in auditory hair cells. Our preliminary results reveal for the first time a strong expression of the calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) in hair cells. CaSR is a G-protein-coupled membrane protein (GPCR) that detects small fluctuations in [Ca2+] ext. The goal of this application is to characterize the role of CaSR in mature and developing hair cell. We will develop a method for CaSR gene silencing using in-ovo electroporation in chick embryos. We will subsequently characterize any morphological and functional changes within the inner ear. Our proposed project could provide a novel view of Ca2+ homeostasis in the inner ear. This would increase our understanding of the function of Ca2+ signaling in the development of auditory system and maturation of hair cells. Interestingly, in humans, mutations in the gene coding for CaSR produce deafness. Thus, this study may also contribute to the treatment of hearing disorders whose pathology lies within the developing hair cells. This project and funding will serve as part of my training towards my goal of establishing my independent research in auditory physiology.
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 chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkaline earth metals
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pathology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine embryology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry bioelectrochemistry electroporation
You need to log in or register to use this function
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-RG
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
75654 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.