Descrizione del progetto
Fare luce sulle aree nere tra le cellule cerebrali
Lo spazio extracellulare è l’area nera tra le cellule del cervello dove si svolgono contemporaneamente molti eventi fisiologici. Nonostante la sua importanza, lo spazio extracellulare rimane un mistero principalmente a causa dell’assenza di strategie di indagine dedicate. Il progetto ENSEMBLE, finanziato dal CER, farà luce sugli ostacoli concettuali e metodologici che impediscono un’ulteriore comprensione della raffinata architettura dello spazio extracellulare e del modo in cui le molecole si muovono al suo interno attraverso il cervello. Inoltre, svelerà in vivo la struttura e le funzioni di tale spazio e proporrà un nuovo quadro teorico. ENSEMBLE determinerà se la diffusione molecolare nello spazio extracellulare è regolata localmente dalle proprietà insite nello spazio stesso.
Obiettivo
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.
Campo scientifico
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiology
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiologypathophysiology
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopysuper resolution microscopy
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologyimmunotherapy
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmolecular biologymolecular neuroscience
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
ERC-SyG - Synergy grantIstituzione ospitante
75794 Paris
Francia