Project description
Unravelling the therapeutic potential of amniotic fluid stem cells
Amniotic fluid, known for its trophic and supportive role in embryonic development, contains a small population of cells known as amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs). Although these cells are exploited for prenatal diagnostic purposes, little is known about their origin or role. The scope of the EU-funded AmnioticID project is to determine the lineage identity of these cells and their role in development using next generation sequencing and in vivo lineage tracing approaches. Results will pave the way for the isolation and expansion of these cells for regenerative medicine strategies.
Objective
The amniotic fluid surrounds and protects the foetus during development, providing trophic and mechanical support to its growth. This liquid contains a variety of cells shedding from embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues that have long been utilised for prenatal diagnosis. In a seminal 2007 article, Professor De Coppi identified in the amniotic fluid, a small population of cells with broad multi-lineage differentiation ability defined as Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells (AFSCs). AFSCs can be isolated, expanded and differentiated during gestation, making them ideal for the development of pre-/perinatal autologous regenerative medicine strategies. In the last decade, a series of studies focused on investigating the therapeutic relevance of the AFSCs for various tissue compartments, such as skeletal and cardiac muscle, lung and liver. However, very little is known about the AFSCs origin, lineage identity and role during human development. This knowledge gaps have relevant impact on these cells' clinical translation and a list of important questions remains to be addressed: Which tissue releases the AFSCs? Are these cells constantly generated, or part of a self-renewing niche? What is the function of the AFSCs during human development? This proposal aims at addressing these questions, by using a combination of next generation sequencing analyses, cell biology assays and in vivo linage tracing approaches. Ultimately defining the origin and identity of the AFSCs will not only increase our knowledge of their physiological role, but will also allow to better direct future studies on their therapeutic implications. Thanks to this project, I will gain a comprehensive, multi-faceted understanding of the biology and regenerative potential of AFSCs. This will open up new research agendas, foster international collaborations and provide me valuable transferrable skills of crucial relevance to develop my independent career, in line with the mission of the Marie Curie action.
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 obstetrics fetal medicine
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
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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.
WC1E 6BT LONDON
United Kingdom
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.