Objective
Interaction between cells and their mechanical microenvironment plays a key role in the regulation of development, physiology and disease. Cell behaviour is also regulated by the dimensionality of the microenvironment: 2D cultures display
biological traits that generally differ from those of 3D tissues, thus limiting their potential in biomedical research. This
limitation has been addressed by the recent development of Organoids, which faithfully preserve a number of distinctive
tissue traits. Still, current biophysical tools and conceptual frameworks are not yet suitable to probe and understand the
mechanobiology of 3D organoid systems.
This project aims to study and manipulate the mechanobiology of normal gut and colorectal cancer organoids. We will
develop tools to quantify the 3D stresses applied by an organoid embedded in a gel. By measuring its 3D surface stresses
and Young’s modulus we will quantify its interstitial pressure and contractility, key parameters in organ growth and tumour
progression.
Pressure and contractility will be related with key biological parameters such as geometry, cell adhesion and proliferation.
We will fluorescently tag proteins in the organoids that will allow us to track individual cells, as well as monitoring their
polarization and adhesion. The relationship between mechanics, geometry, and cell function will be further assessed by
chemically reducing proliferation, mechanical stresses and adhesion.
We will also modify the mechanical state of the organoids through optogenetic means. We will express proteins in the cells
to control Rho-GTPases upon illumination, thereby steering the local stresses at will. We will modify organoid pressure,
contractility and geometry and study their influence on the phenotype.
As organoids emerge as novel tools in biomedical research, we expect that studying and manipulating their mechanobiology
will bring key insight into disease and development processes, and potential new therapeutic targets.
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 biological sciences cell biology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology colorectal cancer
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics geometry
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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-RI - RI – Reintegration panel
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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
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.