Objective
Sensory cilia are organelles extending like antennas from many eukaryotic cells, with crucial functions in sensing and signalling. Cilia consist of an axoneme built of microtubules, enveloped by a specialized membrane. Ciliary development and maintenance depend critically on a specific, microtubule-based intracellular transport mechanism, intraflagellar transport (IFT). In my laboratory, we study the chemosensory cilia of C. elegans, which sense water-soluble molecules in the animal’s environment for chemotaxis. Over the past years, we have developed a unique set of quantitative, single-molecule fluorescence microscopy tools that allow us to visualize and quantify IFT dynamics with unprecedented detail in living animals. So far, our focus has been on the cooperation of the motor proteins driving IFT. The overall objective of my current proposal is to zoom out and shed light on the connection between ciliary structure, chemosensory function and IFT, from a systems perspective. Recent work has indicated that axoneme length is controlled by IFT. Preliminary results from my laboratory show that axoneme length changes dynamically in response to perturbations of IFT or cilia. Furthermore, we have shown that IFT is substantially affected upon exposure of animals to known repellent solutions. The four major aims in my proposal are to:
• determine how directional changes in IFT are regulated and are affected by external disturbances,
• understand the dynamics of the axonemal microtubules and how IFT affects these dynamics and vice versa,
• study how sensory ciliary function affects IFT and ciliary structure,
• further develop our (single-molecule) fluorescence microscopy toolbox by improving instrumentation and using better fluorescent probes and sensors.
These experiments will place my lab in a unique position to push forward our understanding of the relationship between structure, function and dynamics of transport of this fascinating and fundamental organelle.
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.
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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.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant
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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) ERC-2017-ADG
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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.
1081 HV Amsterdam
Netherlands
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.