Project description
Molecular origin of aging
Complex human diseases and ageing begin with slow changes that involve a large number of genes. Preventive medicine is therefore difficult to implement. To study the origins of late-life diseases, a multi-dimensional analysis of molecular changes and physiological parameters during ageing is required. SYSAGING proposes to use C. elegans as a model of a small but fast-growing and aging animal to analyse the molecular origins of complex diseases. Automated microscopy and an image processing platform will be integrated with transcriptomic profiling and in vivo biosensors to collect data at the molecular, cellular, individual and population levels to map factors that increase disease risks. This project will help identify the potential targets for preventive medicine at the molecular and physiological level.
Objective
A central goal of molecular medicine is to understand how genetics, diet, and environment interact to determine health. However, most complex diseases arise from slow, stochastic changes involving large numbers of genes, making it difficult to systematically develop preventative therapies. To study the early and mid-life origins of late-life diseases, we need new methods capable of measuring the high-dimensional dynamics of physiologic change during aging.
C. elegans is a small, fast-aging animal and a powerful model for asking fundamental questions about the conserved molecular origins of complex diseases. However, it is not yet feasible to systematically collect molecular and phenotypic time-series at the precision and scale needed to build quantitative dynamic models of aging. Recently, I developed an automated microscopy and image processing technology that allows life-long observation of large populations. In this proposal, we develop this prototype into an integrative platform combining transcriptomic profiling, in vivo biosensors, and new imaging technology. Collecting data at multiple spatial scales—molecules, cells, individuals, and populations—we can map the causal steps through which slow, stochastic molecular changes drive increases in disease risk. We will then apply this method at scale to characterize all known lifespan-altering interventions in C. elegans, including many being explored for clinical application.
Combining molecular genetics with theoretic approaches, we will build quantitative models of how complex diseases emerge from slow molecular-level changes, and make methodological progress toward rapid characterization of the determinants of age-associated diseases. This work will help isolate the physiologic changes whose disruption delays aging and reduces disease risk, including new targets for preventative therapies.
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.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors biosensors
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- medical and health sciences health sciences nutrition
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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)
- Ageing
- health
- lifespan
- age-related diseases
- interventions in ageing
- Fundamental Mechanisms of Ageing
- dynamical systems
- stochastic processes
- causality
- statistical inference
- complexity theory
- microscopy
- fluorescent imaging
- longitudinal imaging
- genetics
- molecular genetics
- transcriptomics
- single-cell sequencing
- Caenorhabditis elegans
- nematodes
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.
-
H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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) ERC-2019-STG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
08003 Barcelona
Spain
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.