Objective
Mutations in TUBB2B are associated with a range of malformations of cortical development: severe structural brain disorders stemming from abnormal cerebral cortex formation. Functional investigation of TUBB2B mutations will enable us to elucidate distinct pathogenic mechanisms underlying various malformations and advance our understanding of normal brain development.
TUBB2B is highly expressed during embryonic brain development. It encodes a major component of microtubules (MTs), which perform essential roles during neuronal proliferation, neuronal migration and cortical organisation. I have obtained preliminary data in non-neuronal cells that suggests certain (but not all) TUBB2B-related malformations result from impaired cell division during neurogenesis. This highlights a potential disease-specific mechanism. I will investigate this hypothesis using state-of-the-art induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and cerebral organoid (COs) technologies, more relevant to brain development.
I will generate iPSCs from fibroblasts obtained from patients with specific TUBB2B genotypes and brain phenotypes. I will use CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to generate isogenic controls (in addition to a generic wild type line). Mutant and control iPSCs will be differentiated into a neural lineage to study effects of mutations on cell cycle and MT dynamics. Subsequently, differentiated cells will be aggregated into COs; self-organising ‘mini-brains’ that recapitulate human brain development and disease. I will employ immunohistochemistry and microscopy to examine TUBB2B mutation effects on neuronal proliferation, migration and organisation.
I will hosted by Dr David Keays (IMP, Vienna). His lab are global leaders in tubulin-gene research and work in close collaboration with the pioneers in CO techniques (Knoblich Lab, IMBA, Vienna). Dissemination and communication of results will impact the scientific community, promote EU-based research and establish me as a reputable figure in the field.
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
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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.
1030 Wien
Austria
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.