Objective
This proposal brings together researchers who are interested in neuronal dynamics and those interested in understanding how neural activity depends on gene expression. The unifying theme of the proposal will be to identify and characterise complex, physiological electrical activity of cells and networks, and to understand how such global dynamics are orchestrated at a cellular and molecular level in patterns of gene expression. The project will focus on two tissue types of primary importance in the nervous system: sensory receptors (olfactory and visual) and cortex (hippocampus and neocortex). A central strategy will be to identify and classify specific types of projection neurons, interneurons and sensory neurons, in term of both their electrophysiological behaviour and the profiles of expression of thousands of genes and transcripts. After electrophysiological characterisation of neurons by whole-cell patch-clamp, single cell RT-PCR of the cytoplasm of single cells will be used in conjunction with DNA array analysis.
Using this expression profile data, new cell-specific markers will be identified and used to make transgenic animals with markers such as GFP and PLAP. Cell-sorting techniques will be applied to harvest large numbers of labelled neurons for the most complete expression analysis. The project will apply theoretical concepts and methodologies for statistical and dynamical analysis, to interpret and model the experimental data. In summary, we expect to obtain significant new understanding of: the composition of large neuronal assemblies in terms of cell types; differences and similarities in gene expression among neuronal populations in the adult nervous system; how the global properties of large neuronal assemblies are regulated by the presence of specific neurons; how the electrical properties and transciptome of specific neuron types change during development; possible future application of genomic technology in systems neuroscience.
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 neurobiology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA transcriptomes
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
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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.
FP6-2002-LIFESCIHEALTH
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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
TRIESTE
Italy
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.