Objective
The pancreas constitutes of various cell types with distinctive function. Exocrine cells produce and secrete digestive enzymes while endocrine cells, including insulin-producing beta-cells, secrete hormones that regulate glucose homeostasis. The proportional quantity of the different pancreatic cell populations is well defined, when exocrine cells encompass majority of the tissue mass. However, while the establishment of pancreas cellular composition during embryogenesis has been well acknowledged, its regulation is far from being elucidated. While cell intrinsic cues were shown to influent this process in the developing pancreas, the role of extrinsic signals is less understood. I hypothesize that extrinsic cues define the rate of cell proliferation and therefore govern the sizes of various pancreatic cell populations in vivo. Here I will use a novel transgenic mouse model I have recently developed, the Nkx3.2-Cre mouse line, as a tool to evaluate extrinsic roles in the regulation of pancreas cellular composition. I will further use this tool to elucidate the extrinsic cues playing a role in this process. To this end, I will deregulate signaling pathways in the pancreatic mesenchyme, a key component of the embryonic pancreas microenvironment. I will focus on two such pathways, the Hedgehog and the Wnt pathways, which are required for normal mesenchymal gene expression. I expect their deregulation will hamper mesenchymal ability to promote appropriate pancreatic cellular composition, and will enable the identification of extrinsic cues required for this process. The findings of this study will allow better understanding of the extrinsic requirements during pancreas development, and the cues governing its cellular composition. Furthermore, this study will aid current affords to expand beta-cells upon will, as a potential cure to diabetes.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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-CIG
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.
MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG)
Coordinator
69978 Tel Aviv
Israel
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.