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Unravelling the mechanisms regulating cellular fitness during embryonic development

Objective

Understanding the mechanisms that eliminate unfit cells during development is key not only for proper organ formation but also to prevent tissue degeneration in the adult. Cell competition is a fitness quality control mechanism that occurs between cells of differing fitness levels and results in the selective elimination of those cells that, although viable, are deemed to be less fit than their neighbours. Cell competition is conserved from Drosophila to mammals and although some important regulators of this process have been identified, the mechanisms by which less-fit cells are eliminated are not well understood. Preliminary work in the Rodriguez laboratory has identified the mTOR pathway, a key metabolic sensor, as a possible regulator of cell competition in pluripotent stem cells. A small molecule screen for modulators of cell competition identified that inhibiting mTOR enhances defective pluripotent stem cell elimination during competition, and further studies revealed that mTOR activity is decreased in loser cells when confronted with winner cells. I will study the possibility that mTOR acts as a sensor of the competitive nature of pluripotent stem cells. The specific aims of this project are to find what pathways lead to differential mTOR activation during competition and unravel the mechanisms by which loss of mTOR leads to the elimination of defective stem cells. To answer these questions I will use mouse embryonic stem cells, as well as validate the in vivo relevance of my findings by studying the mouse embryo.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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.

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.

MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

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Call for proposal

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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Coordinator

IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 183 454,80
Address
SOUTH KENSINGTON CAMPUS EXHIBITION ROAD
SW7 2AZ London
United Kingdom

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Region
London Inner London — West Westminster
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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.

€ 183 454,80
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