Project description
Shedding light on the black areas between brain cells
The extracellular space (ECS) is the black area between the cells of the brain where many physiological events unfold at the same time. Despite its importance, the ECS remains a mystery mainly due to the absence of dedicated investigation strategies. The ERC-funded ENSEMBLE project will shed light on the conceptual and methodological roadblocks that prevent further understanding of the fine architecture of the ECS and how molecules navigate within it throughout the brain. It will unveil in vivo the structure and functions and propose a new theoretical framework. ENSEMBLE will determine whether molecular diffusion in the ECS is locally regulated by the properties of the ECS.
Objective
Brain research has made tremendous progress over the last few decades in nearly all areas of investigation with the exception of one: the extracellular space (ECS). It is however a key compartment defined as the web-like space between brain cells, filled with a myriad of molecules that enable brain functions and homeostasis. How molecules navigate in the ECS is a very important, yet unsolved, challenge that precludes conceptual advance in brain science and innovation in therapeutics (e.g. immunotherapy). The lack of knowledge is mainly due to the absence of dedicated investigation strategies for such a complex and finely structured biological entity. Our ground-breaking project (ENSEMBLE) will shed light on the conceptual and methodological roadblocks that have prevented us from understanding the fine architecture of the ECS and how molecules navigate within it throughout the brain. We posit that molecular diffusion in the ECS is locally regulated by the properties of the ECS, which is essential for brain functions. Four world-class scientists, L. Groc (molecular neuroscience, CNRS), E. Bezard (systems neuroscience, INSERM), L. Cognet (optics & nanoscience, CNRS), and U.V. Nägerl (neurophotonics, Univ. Bordeaux), team up to develop and apply unconventional investigation approaches, based on original nano-imaging strategies (super-resolution microscopy and carbon nanotube/nanoparticle tracking), to the in vivo brain. Yet, to consider and achieve such an experimental and multidisciplinary tour de force a side-by-side and daily interactive effort is necessary. Thanks to our complementary expertise and geographical proximity, ENSEMBLE will provide a unique opportunity to unveil in vivo the structure and functions of this crucial brain compartment and will offer a new theoretical and experimental framework to manipulate molecule navigation. The ENSEMBLE project will also cross-fertilize the fields of nanoscience, optical imaging, organ pathophysiology and immunotherapy.
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 neurobiology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology pathophysiology
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy super resolution microscopy
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology immunotherapy
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
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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)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
75794 PARIS
France
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.