Objective
When cells experience stress, most protein synthesis pauses and so-called stress granules (SGs) form which store and protect mRNAs. SGs are crucial for stress adaptation and prevention of cell death. However, SGs are also implicated in age-related neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. In these diseases, SGs persist longer than normal and turn into harmful aggregates which cells cannot dissolve.
Despite the importance for human health, we only know very little about how normal SGs convert into disease-causing aggregates. Ground breaking work from the Hyman and Alberti labs could recently demonstrate that SGs behave like liquid droplets which solidify over time. Importantly, this transition is promoted by disease-associated mutations in SG components.
SGs form through protein-protein interactions which critically depends on the Ras GTPase-activating protein-binding protein 1 (G3BP1). The Hyman and Alberti labs could recently generate G3BP1 droplets in vitro and could show that droplet formation is promoted by mRNAs. For the first time, we have a minimal SG system that can be used as a tool to mechanistically dissect SG formation and disease association. I propose harnessing this system to generate complex droplets that resemble physiological SGs. Ultimately, my objective is to elucidate how proteins with disease-causing mutations influence SG properties and dynamics, thus allowing me to identify the molecular changes that underlie neurodegenerative diseases.
The proposed work is to take place in the teams of A Hyman and S Alberti, world leaders in the field of liquid droplets. Both groups are uniquely situated in the same institute which offers cutting-edge facilities and extensive training opportunities. The fellowship would crucially assist me in my future career objective: positioning myself as an expert in the field of granule biology and developing into an independent researcher in academia.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins proteomics
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pathology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
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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-2017
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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.
80539 MUNCHEN
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.