Objective
Pain has a large socio-economic impact, it is estimated that up to one in five Europeans (19%) suffers from chronic pain, costing the EU around €300 billion per annum. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying pain signalling is critical for the development of novel treatments. P2X receptors are ligand-gated ion channels opened by extracellular ATP. They have well-established roles in chronic pain, particularly in the case of P2X3, P2X4 and P2X7 subunits. However, a lack of sufficiently powerful tools has seriously handicapped our understanding of P2X receptors in these roles. Recent technological advances have now made it possible to engineer ligand-gated ion channels to be selectively controlled by light. This enables non-invasive control of native channel activity with high temporal and spatial resolution. Here it is proposed that a light-activated P2X4 receptor (LiP2X4R) will be engineered and used in vivo to dissect its precise role in pain signalling. In mice expressing LiP2X4R in neurons and microglia, LiP2X4 will be activated and any resultant pain-related behaviours monitored (e.g. mechanical and thermal pain hypersensitivity). This optogenetic approach will address important aspects of pain signalling mechanisms, including: the neuron-glia interactions that underlie pain signalling; and the specific contribution of P2X receptors towards pain signalling in vivo. It will enable the precise role of P2X receptors to be defined in a manner not possible before, and will provide insights to the mechanisms that underlie chronic pain processes.
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-2012-IOF
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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
WC1E 6BT LONDON
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.