Project description
In vitro model of Fragile X syndrome
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a rare genetic developmental disorder associated with cognitive impairment and learning disabilities. It is caused by a mutation in the Fragile X mental retardation one (FMR1) gene, which leads to diminished expression of the FMRP protein, a necessary component of synapse development. The timing of FMR1 silencing is unknown as there are no available models of the disease. To address this problem, the EU-funded NeuroStemX project is developing FXS neurons from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The iPSC-based model will be utilised to study the onset of FMR1 silencing during neural development as well as the associated neuronal defects in FXS patients.
Objective
Neurological and mental disorders are top priorities for the European Commission, which actively invests in research aimed at better understanding brain function and dysfunction, and at finding new therapies for brain disorders. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the major monogenetic cause for intellectual disability and is frequently associated with autism spectrum disorder. The trinucleotide repeat expansion, methylation and epigenetic silencing of fragile mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene promoter leads to the loss of the corresponding protein. However, the molecular mechanism and the timing leading to FMR1 silencing are still unknown due to the absence of reliable in vivo and in vitro models. The recent development of naïve PSCs showing a broader unmethylated genome (including in FMR1) opened a new hope for disease modeling of FXS, but data are still partial and contradictory. The NeuroStemX project aims at filling this gap taking advantage of an optimized technique for the generation of naïve iPSCs developed at the University of Padova (UniPd) and generation of FXS neurons with various approaches mastered by the Experienced Researcher (ER) in conjunction with the microtechnologies developed by UniPd. In particular, we aim at 1) identifying the timing of FMRP silencing during neural development using naïve iPSCs and 2) establishing a reliable in vitro system to model neuronal defects observed in FXS patients. In this project, we are addressing some of the most crucial problems related with FXS pathogenesis and modeling using a variety of innovative approaches. This will give the ER an outstanding training-through-research opportunity by means of a personalized multidisciplinary project, in which the ER will enlarge her scientific competences and strengthen her professional profile. The training includes both scientific and transferable skills, aimed at the reinforcement of the ER professional maturity and independence.
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 clinical medicine psychiatry
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- engineering and technology other engineering and technologies microtechnology
- 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-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.
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.