Objective
Collective chemotaxis (CCT) is a fundamental process for embryonic development and cancer metastasis, where groups of cells collectively migrate in response to a chemoattractive signal. While single cell migration depends on polarised actomyosin mechanotransduction and signalling cascades within the same cell, in CCT these functions are shared between different cells to achieve a coordinated, ‘‘supracellular’’ translocation. The molecular mechanisms underlying coordination and cell-cell communication during CCT have been largely overlooked. I propose to address this issue using the neural crest (NC), a highly invasive mesenchymal cell population that migrates throughout the embryo via CCT. NC migration shows extensive similarities with cancer invasion, making it a useful model for studying metastatic migration. Preliminary experiments show that an actomyosin ring-shaped cable, which surrounds the NC cluster, contributes to maintain a supracellular organisation. Also, during CCT, gap junctions appear to regulate synchronous actomyosin contractions in cells located at the cluster’s rear. Therefore, I will study this contractility dynamics in-vitro and in-vivo using Xenopus and zebrafish. I will manipulate the actomyosin cable to understand its contribution to efficient chemotaxis. Then, I will investigate how gap junctions enable synchronisation between neighbouring cells, by imaging the spread of calcium waves in NC clusters and manipulating other diffusible messengers. This study will give significant insights into the mechanisms regulating CCT, which is crucial for deepening our understanding of morphogenesis and cancer biology.
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 chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkaline earth metals
- natural sciences biological sciences developmental biology
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- natural sciences biological sciences biophysics
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy confocal microscopy
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2015
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
WC1E 6BT LONDON
United Kingdom
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.