Project description
Strategies to prevent cardiovascular diseases: lessons from dolphins
Arterial dysfunction is one of the problems associated with ageing that can lead to cardiovascular disease (CVD), the number one cause of death in Europe. The EU-funded Arterial Aging project will investigate how age-related changes in the gut microbiome known to activate pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory signalling pathways can modulate arterial function. Scientists will carry out analyses in experimental models to associate gut microbiota composition with vascular phenotypes. They will also explore if cetaceans, such as whales and dolphins, have a protective mechanism to prevent arterial dysfunction associated with diving. Results will potentially unveil a novel role of gut microbiota in vascular biology with important clinical consequences.
Objective
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death in Europe. Arterial dysfunction develops with aging making advancing age the primary risk factor for CVD. Advancing age can induce adverse changes in the gut microbiome, which in turn, can activate systemic pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory signaling pathways with detrimental downstream consequences. One main objective of this project is to investigate the role of the gut microbiome in modulating arterial function with aging. To approach this objective, I will carry out two experimental studies: 1) mouse-to mouse transplant of gut microbiota to investigate if gut microbiota transfers vascular phenotypes. This experiment will show if gut microbiota modulates arterial function with aging, and will provide insight into the mechanisms involved. 2) Germ-free mice with microbiota samples from human subjects to determine the contribution of the human microbiome to a particular phenotype.
Cetaceans are long-lived mammals and excellent divers. They undergo constant cycles of tissue hypoxia-reoxygenation and shear stress caused by vascular adjustments while diving. In humans, these adjustments produce an elevation of oxidative stress and inflammation markers and impairment of the endothelial function. Thus, another main objective of this proposal is to explore if cetaceans, i.e. whales and dolphins, have developed an endothelium-protective mechanism to prevent arterial dysfunction with age and diving. To approach this objective I will study vascular function, circulating oxidative stress and inflammation markers, and gut microbiome of cetaceans of different ages in captivity as well as stranded animals.
The objectives to investigate the role of the gut microbiome in modulating arterial function with aging will be carried during the first two years in the outgoing phase. This knowledge will be transfer to the host institution for the study of vascular function and gut microbiome in cetaceans of different ages.
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 zoology mammalogy cetology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine cardiology cardiovascular diseases
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology
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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-2019
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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.
35001 Las Palmas De Gran Canaria
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.