Objective
Bone tissue is an organic-inorganic composite material that provides the mechanical support and protection for our bodies. Its impressive mechanical properties arise from the hierarchical organization of the organic collagen matrix that is mineralized with ultrathin, aligned inorganic crystals of carbonated hydroxyapatite.
Despite its importance to the human body, still relatively little is understood about the mechanisms by which collagen mineralization occurs, and what the respective roles are of the collagen and other, non-collagenous proteins (NCPs) in directing this process. This is because the process is complex: there are different stages that occur over multiple length scales, and many different components are involved. So far, studying collagen mineralization has mainly relied on analyses that require sample-altering preparation methods and lack information about the dynamics; or on simplified in vitro systems that do not necessarily represent what happens in the native bone environment. To really understand the role of NCPs in collagen mineralization, we need to study their dynamics and structural interactions with the highest possible resolution and in an environment as close as possible to native bone.
I will use a recently developed tissue engineering platform that produces mineralized collagen with the main characteristics of that in bone. This will now allow me to apply gene editing for studying the role of NCPs in situ and in a living system with correlative imaging using super resolution microscopy and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. My approach will provide unprecedented details on the role of selected NCPs in collagen mineralization. It will significantly impact how bone defects and mineralization are studied, and open the door to new treatments for related diseases such as osteogenesis imperfecta and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
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.
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering gene therapy
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy super resolution microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology tissue engineering
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy electron microscopy
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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.
6525 XZ Nijmegen
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.