Project description
Development of ultra-resolution imaging for brain synapse studies
Modern imaging technologies are unable to present the topology of proteins accurately as the best super-resolution tools’ limits are at 20–30 nm, which is several times more than the sizes of the individual proteins. The EU-funded ULTRARESOLUTION project aims to develop reliable ultra-resolution imaging with a true molecular resolution of 1–5 nm. The project will combine optics-based super-resolution technologies with the innovative physical expansion of the samples. This approach will be employed to decipher the functional organisation of key components in brain synapses. The final goal is to establish simple protocols to expand the application of ultra resolution to every biomedical laboratory.
Objective
Neurons contain hundreds of specialized proteins, whose topology reflects activity, plasticity and disease. Present imaging techniques are unable to present this topology accurately, since even the best super-resolution tools are limited to at least 20-30 nm, many times the size of individual proteins (~3-7 nm). To solve this problem, our ground-breaking objective is to develop reliable ultra-resolution imaging, with true molecular resolution of 1-5 nm. We will combine optics-based super-resolution with a recent innovation, pioneered by our team – physical expansion of the samples. Our efforts will be aided by several imaging tools we have generated, from super-resolution modalities to nano-affinity probes, which, thanks to their power and ease-of-use, are already employed by hundreds of research groups. We will apply ultra-resolution to reveal the functional organization of key components of the synapse, in health and disease. We will also develop protocols for brain pathology samples, for future use in medical diagnostics. Finally, we will establish simple protocols that will enable the application of ultra-resolution in every biomedical laboratory. Our multidisciplinary group, composed of a synapse physiologist (Rizzoli), a single-molecule imaging chemist (Sauer), and a physics and bio-engineering specialist (Boyden), is optimally placed to address this challenge. All PIs are also super-resolution specialists, with extensive expertise in stimulated emission depletion (STED), direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM) and expansion microscopy (ExM), respectively. The vast expertise required by this project implies that none of our groups could pursue it alone, and that no other groups, world-wide, could attempt it. Its successful implementation will provide: 1) imaging technology far beyond the state-of-the-art, which will prove transformative in many branches of biology; 2) solutions to multiple questions on synaptic and brain function.
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 mathematics pure mathematics topology
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy super resolution microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pathology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
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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.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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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-SyG - Synergy grant
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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) ERC-2020-SyG
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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.
37075 Goettingen
Germany
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.