Project description
Unlocking the mechanism behind serious brain diseases
Glutamate is a key neurotransmitter in the brain, closely tied to memory formation. It is also linked to serious neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Therefore, it is considered vitally important to monitor glutamate levels in great detail. The EU-funded F4TGLUT project aims to develop a groundbreaking and highly sensitive method for monitoring glutamate levels at a cellular level in the human brain. The goal is to help better explain the underlying mechanisms behind serious brain diseases and common mental conditions affecting people globally. The project should shed more light on glutamate neurotransmission and how drugs and diet can affect it.
Objective
Glutamate is the primary activating neurotransmitter in the brain. It modulates synaptic plasticity of neurons, which underlies memory formation. However, it also plays a fundamental role in pathological processes, such as those related to Alzheimer’s disease. This essential role and future development of therapeutic agents urge the development of a highly-sensitive analytical method for determining glutamate levels at a cellular level. In this project I will create a miniaturized, in vitro system that will allow this. To develop it, my expertise in microfluidics and pharmacy will be supplemented by the host’s extensive experience with cell analysis and nanoelectrodes.
When glutamate-type neurons in the brain are innervated, glutamate release into the synapse between adjacent neurons occurs. This triggers chemical signal transmission. Nanoelectrodes are uniquely equipped to monitor this neurotransmitter release with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. The combination with microfluidics will allow control of fluids and experiments at the nanoliter scale. Furthermore, through precisely fabricated microstructures, guidance of cell growth and precise placement of the nanoelectrodes in the device will be achieved.
Glutamate modulates synaptic plasticity, a phenomenon understood to underlie memory formation. Furthermore, dietary compounds and drugs can influence glutamate neurotransmission. The proposed system enables selective exposure of individual neurons cultured in the microfluidic device to such compounds. Using the integrated nanoelectrodes, direct monitoring of their effects on chemical signaling between cells will be possible. The results will significantly contribute to our understanding of glutamate neurotransmission, and how drugs and diet can influence it. Additionally, the system combines cell culture, selective exposure and analyses at the cellular level using sensors and imaging, making it an ideal platform for future drug development research.
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 basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug discovery
- natural sciences physical sciences classical mechanics fluid mechanics microfluidics
- medical and health sciences health sciences nutrition
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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-2018
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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.
405 30 Goeteborg
Sweden
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.