Objetivo Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder that primarily targets upper and lower motor neurons. The progression of the disease is mediated by altered intercellular communication in the spinal cord between neurons and glial cells. Intercellular communication, mainly happening through extracellular vesicles (EVs) is responsible for the horizontal transfer of proteins and RNAs to recipient cells. Recently, I proved that EVs released from ALS mutant astrocytes selectively induced toxicity in wild type motor neuron, thus reinforcing the notion that astrocytes exert toxicity in ALS disease propagation and suggesting EVs as mediators of toxicity. Although, multiple factors can play a role in motor neuron degeneration, recent evidences point toward a fundamental role for RNA and RNA-binding protein dys-homeostasis as crucial players in ALS pathogenesis. Therefore, the overarching goal of ExItALS is to characterize the astrocyte-EVs RNA cargos, -through RNA deep-sequencing (Aim1). This approach will be complemented by the use of high-resolution flow cytometry (secondment) to separate EV populations and determine which one(s) is(are) responsible for motor neuron toxicity (Aim2). The present research proposal is a synthesis of my interests in neurodegenerative diseases and my expertise in biochemistry and neurobiology. At the Host Institution I will greatly benefit from the scientific exchange with several PIs interested in RNA biology, particularly with my supervisor, whose skills in RNA-binding protein biology and bioinformatics analyses will perfectly integrate and consolidate my molecular and biochemical expertise. The MSCA-RI-IF will be instrumental to develop this initial hypothesis into deeper biological understanding of ALS and represent a crucial support to my scientific integration as a competitive, woman investigator in the transition from a researcher position to an independent academic career. Ámbito científico natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsnatural sciencesbiological sciencescell biologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepathologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsRNAmedical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologyamyotrophic lateral sclerosis Programa(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 Tema(s) MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships Convocatoria de propuestas H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoria Régimen de financiación MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panel Coordinador UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TRENTO Aportación neta de la UEn € 180 277,20 Dirección VIA CALEPINA 14 38122 Trento Italia Ver en el mapa Región Nord-Est Provincia Autonoma di Trento Trento Tipo de actividad Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Enlaces Contactar con la organización Opens in new window Sitio web Opens in new window Participación en los programas de I+D de la UE Opens in new window Red de colaboración de HORIZON Opens in new window Coste total € 180 277,20
