Objective Over the recent years, research in developmental biology has stumbled upon the problem of how development ensures that organisms achieve appropriate body and organ size. The coordination of organ growth with the developmental program is essential for the emergence of adults with proper body size and proportions. These species-specific features condition many traits of adult life such as fitness and survival. Studies on fruit flies have allowed setting up the conceptual frame for this research. Our current understanding is that tissue growth and the developmental program are synchronized by feedback control mechanisms that block the transition to the next developmental period until all tissues have completed growth.Recent work in Drosophila has started unraveling the nature of the signals that couple tissue growth with developmental progression. A newly discovered Drosophila insulin-like peptide called Dilp8 is key in this coupling, raising the possibility that peptides with similar roles may exist in vertebrates. The current project aims at characterizing the molecular mechanisms by which Dilp8 coordinates development of the different body parts. First, I will conduct a biased genetic screen to identify the receptor for Dilp8. This will allow a better characterization of the biological functions of Dilp8. On one hand, I will unravel the target tissues of Dilp8 mediating regulation of steroid hormone and developmental transitions. On the other hand, I will investigate the role of Dilp8 signaling in coordinating growth among developing organs.The project will shed light on the mechanisms of inter-organ communication that ensure the coordination of growth between tissues and with the developmental timing. The expertise of the host laboratory, combined the conceptual frame and experimental approaches of the project, will allow me to gain new skills and scientific knowledge, and to develop a successful research career in the field of growth control. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicinesurgerymedical and health scienceshealth sciencesinflammatory diseasesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesdevelopmental biologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiology Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2014-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2014 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS Net EU contribution € 173 076,00 Address RUE MICHEL ANGE 3 75794 Paris France See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 173 076,00