Objective
Emergent collective behaviours such as flocks and waves are a hallmark of biological active matter, and occur prominently also in large groups of migrating epithelial cells, where they are involved in fundamental biological processes such as wound healing, morphogenesis and cancer cell invasion. Physical forces transduced between cells and arising between cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) play an integral role in orchestrated multicellular phenomena. Another integral contribution is given by the actions of leader cells, that modulate and guide the migration of cohesive cell groups. How leader cells achieve this using intracellular and cell-ECM forces remains largely to be understood. Here we propose an experimental approach to generate leader cells using optogenetics and to study how leaders influence the collective behaviour of migratory cell groups. We will use epithelial cells expressing light-sensitive activators of RhoGTPases, which enable reversible and directional control of cell motility using blue light. Traction force microscopy and monolayer stress microscopy will be performed using these cells while we will create and control leaders. With functionalized substrates, we will study the mechanical role of leaders in different conditions, from confined two-cell systems to confluent monolayers exhibiting flocking. Finally, we will express the light-sensitive proteins in cancer cells, to study how their three-dimensional dissemination is affected by leaders. Our experimental approach combines physics-derived modelling and quantification of forces with advanced molecular biology tools. The latter will enable us to perform selected modifications on cells, targeting a wide array of proteins involved in cell-cell adhesion and force transduction. Our goal is to shed light on how leaders physically influence collective migration in physiologically relevant situations, paving the way for the in vivo applications of light-induced leader cells.
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
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular 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-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.
08028 Barcelona
Spain
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.