Objective
The mechanical properties of the cellular environment deeply influence cell fate and behavior. Cells respond to outer forces not only through the rapid remodeling of their cytoskeleton, but also by implementing gene expression changes. The Piccolo laboratory pioneered the notion that the transcriptional coactivators YAP and TAZ act independently of the Hippo pathway to activate gene expression in response to cytoskeletal tension. Crucially, YAP/TAZ are the main effectors of the cellular response to mechanical cues instructing proliferation, cell death or cell fate choice. Despite the importance of mechanosensing in development, tissue homeostasis and cancer, the mechanistic link between the actin network and YAP/ TAZ regulation has remained elusive.
This project aims to close this gap in our knowledge by uncovering the molecular events that lead to the activation and nuclear translocation of YAP/TAZ in cells experiencing mechanical strain. Using live imaging, I plan to derive a model of the nuclear YAP shuttling dynamics. Optogenetic tools and targeted genetic approaches will be used to delineate which components of the actomyosin network are sufficient to regulate YAP/TAZ and to probe a potential link to nuclear mechanics. Mass spectrometry will provide a comprehensive view of YAP/TAZ interaction partners in cells subjected to different mechanical inputs and biochemical validation experiments will systematically delineate the molecular pathway of mechanotransduction from cytoskeletal tension to YAP/TAZ activation. Finally, loss- and gain-of-function experiments in a range of model systems will establish the functional importance and generality of these newly identified mechanotransduction pathway players. Uncovering the mechanotransduction pathway will not only greatly advance our understanding of cell biology, but also aid to identify potential targets for cancer therapy, as indeed the stiffening of the tumour environment is a driving factor in cancer progression.
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 cell biology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry mass spectrometry
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
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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.
35122 PADOVA
Italy
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.