Project description DEENESFRITPL Reciprocal microglia-neuron signalling and brain physiology According to the neuron-centred brain view, the electrical signalling of neurons defines the information code of the brain, and synapse connectivity determines circuit functions. However, the brain also contains three glial cell types: astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and microglia. Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes have essential functions in the brain. Microglia are brain-resident immune cells, defending against pathogens and providing a housekeeping function as phagocytes. The EU-funded MICRO-COPS project aims to capitalise on the hypothesis that microglia are also involved in the control of neuronal function under normal physiological conditions. The combination of mouse genetics, gene expression analysis and cell biological, electrophysiological and imaging technologies will define the microglia–neuron signalling pathways and the biological consequences of this crosstalk. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective The brain controls all body functions. At the base of this 'catholic' role are the neurons, cells that generate electrical signals, communicate via synapses and form circuits that execute computing tasks and control behaviour. The electrical signalling pattern of neurons is the information code of the brain and the synapse connectivity determines circuit function. This is, in brief, what most textbooks emphasise, but such a neuron-centred brain view is precariously short-sighted. Apart from neurons, the brain contains three glia cell types (from Greek 'γλία' for 'glue'): astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia. But far from being mere 'glue', astrocytes and oligodendrocytes have multiple critical functions in the brain, accordingly affect many brain processes - even genuine computing tasks - and have therefore become a major focus of modern neuroscience. Microglia are the 'odd one out'. They are brain-resident immune cells, act as defence against pathological insults and have a housekeeping function as phagocytes. Aside from these functions, microglia seem to play an as yet unrecognized role by engaging in reciprocal signalling with neurons. It is this Microglia Control of Physiological Brain States we will study in MICRO-COPS, based on the hypothesis that microglia purposively control neuronal function. We will combine mouse genetics with cutting-edge gene expression analysis and cell biological, electrophysiological, and imaging technologies to define the reciprocal microglia-neuron signalling pathways, the signalling molecules involved, the biological consequences for microglia and neurons, and the role of the corresponding signalling processes in synapse physiology, neuronal integration, circuit dynamics, and behaviour. We expect that the mechanistic description of reciprocal microglia-neuron interactions - from synapses to circuits - will establish a new and critically important brain regulatory process and provide key insights into brain pathology. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsmedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepathologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiology Keywords Reciprocal microglia-neuron signalling synapses circuits microglia electrophysiology microglia secretion Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2020-SyG - ERC Synergy Grant Call for proposal ERC-2020-SyG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SyG - Synergy grant Coordinator MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV Net EU contribution € 2 500 000,00 Address Hofgartenstrasse 8 80539 Munchen Germany See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Beneficiaries (4) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV Germany Net EU contribution € 2 500 000,00 Address Hofgartenstrasse 8 80539 Munchen See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 UNIVERSITAETSKLINIKUM HAMBURG-EPPENDORF Germany Net EU contribution € 2 500 000,00 Address Martinistrasse 52 20251 Hamburg See on map Region Hamburg Hamburg Hamburg Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI United States Net EU contribution € 2 500 000,00 Address One gustave l levy place box 1075 10029 6574 New york See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE France Net EU contribution € 2 500 000,00 Address Rue de tolbiac 101 75654 Paris See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
