Objective
The adult hippocampus plays a central role in learning and memory. Hippocampal dysfunction is a main cause of cognitive impairment during aging and in Alzheimer's disease. There is increasing evidence that the generation of new neurons (neurogenesis) from neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult hippocampus significantly contributes to hippocampal function. Indeed, progressive loss of NSCs in the aging hippocampus due to incomplete maintenance of the NSC population and the resulting decrease in neurogenesis are associated with a decline in cognitive function.
The aim of this project is to identify the extrinsic signals that control the maintenance and self-renewal of NSCs through the regulation of the transcription factor Sox2. The rationale for this approach is the fact that Sox2 expression is essential for maintenance and self-renewal of adult hippocampal NSCs. Experimentally candidate signals will be identified by a combination of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo experiments. Functional studies in vitro and in vivo will test the involvement of the candidates in the control of Sox2 expression. These studies will not only promote our basic understanding of the signalling networks underlying NSC maintenance in the hippocampus but may also significantly contribute to the design of novel therapies for cognitive impairment and dementia given the link between hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function.
In this regard, the proposal displays significant overlap with the priority of the FP6 to combat chronic diseases and will substantially strengthen European research activities in this area. The project will also allow the re-integration of the applicant, who has received outstanding postdoctoral training in NSC-biology in a third country (USA), and will enable the transfer of his scientific knowledge into the European Research Area as well as the development of lasting co-operations between the German host institute and a leading research institute in the USA.
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 health sciences public health
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology cognitive neuroscience
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology dementia alzheimer
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
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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-12
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.
IRG - Marie Curie actions-International re-integration grants
Coordinator
NEUHERBERG
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.