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Neurofilaments in Health and neurodegenerative diseases

Project description

Innovative live-imaging and proteomic methodologies

Neurofilaments (NFs) are a main cytoskeletal network with essential functions in neurons. NFs are mutated and implicated in neurodegeneration, where their abnormal aggregation is an early pathological hallmark of disease. The EU-funded NeuroFish project aims to decipher the physiological roles of NFs and proposes the concept that defects in NF dynamic underlies neurodegeneration. The project combines innovative live-imaging and proteomic methodologies using zebrafish. Researchers anticipate that modifications of NF dynamics will reverse neurodegeneration, and proofs of concept will be obtained by overexpressing key modulators in disease zebrafish models and through drug screening. The project will increase knowledge on NFs and has the potential to provide a platform for therapeutic interventions on NFs for the benefit of most neurodegenerative diseases.

Objective

Neurofilaments (NFs) are a highly dynamic cytoskeletal network, which exhibits essential functions in neurons and are key actors in neurodegeneration. NFs are not only a genetic cause of neuronal death in human, their abnormal aggregation is an early pathological hallmark in disease, and their genetic removal from axons has shown spectacular benefits in delaying disease onset, extending survival and restoring neurological functions in mouse models. In this project, I propose the concept that the defects in NF transport and degradation are the causes of neurodegeneration. I will tackle the live dynamic of these processes in health and disease in a meaningful in vivo context, using the zebrafish. Combining state-of-the-art and innovative live-imaging and proteomic methodologies in zebrafish, our program has three major goals. First, we will study the dynamic of NF transport along the axons and its spatial regulation by myelinating cells, with novel zebrafish lines expressing fluorescently labeled NFs. Second, we will decipher the mechanisms of NF degradation by generating a zebrafish line overexpressing gigaxonin, an E3 ligase adaptor we found to destroy the stable NF network, and by designing a new proteomic methodology in zebrafish. Finally, we will investigate NF dysfunctions and their pathological roles in disease, by generating models for neurodegenerative diseases carrying NF mutations and using the methodologies described above. I anticipate that interventions on NF dynamics will substantially reverse neurodegeneration, and proofs of concept will be obtained by overexpressing gigaxonin in our disease zebrafish models and through drug screening. Thus, this ERC project will generate forefront knowledge in the field of NFs and neurodegeneration and will provide a highly significant platform for therapeutic intervention on NFs, for the benefit of most neurodegenerative diseases.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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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.

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.

ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2019-COG

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Host institution

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 1 874 863,00
Total cost

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.

€ 1 874 863,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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