Objective
Our project aims to combine concepts and methodologies from biology, physics and engineering to address a fundamental question in neuroscience: how is the nervous system rewired during development transitions. The nematode C. elegans is one of the most important model organisms in neuroscience due to its relatively simple stereotypical anatomy, well-studied genetics and behavior, translucent body and nervous system, ideally suited for in-toto (in its entirety) imaging. Yet most of the knowledge available refers to adult animals, and little is known about neuronal plasticity and mechanisms of behavioral changes during development.
One of the technical reasons for this gap is the lack of high-resolution fast-scanning optical microscopes compatible with microfluidic devices that are routinely used in nematode larva studies. To address this limitation, we propose to build a light-sheet microscope for imaging C. elegans larvae in conventional microfluidic chips with high spatio-temporal resolution, and minimize the optical aberrations caused by chamber material using adaptive optics. The microscope will allow parallel imaging of larvae while exiting dauer diapause (an alternative larval stage geared for survival). We will use the imaging data together with available (yet unpublished) electron microscopy reconstructions of C. elegans dauer larva to study nervous system rewiring during this critical period of animal development, and which neurons are active during developmental changes. This information will pave the way for optical manipulations of candidate neurons by laser ablations and optogenetic activation, to probe their causal roles in developmental transformations.
Due to its versatile design, our microscopy technique may be further applied in other studies where high-resolution imaging through non-isotropic refractive media is required, such as imaging through thick brain tissue samples, or in larger model organisms (e.g. zebrafish larva, mouse embryo).
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 developmental biology
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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-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.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2016
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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.
13125 Berlin
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.