Objective
The myelin sheath is a plasma membrane extension that is laid down in regular spaced segments along axons of the nervous system. In the central nervous system it is formed by oligodendrocytes that spirally wrap their plasma membrane around axons to generate a highly abundant, tightly packed stack of membranes with unique structural properties. Previously, myelin has been regarded as an inert and purely insulating membrane, but it now appears that myelin is metabolically active, providing metabolic support to the underlying axon and participating in information processing by modulating velocity and synchronicity of nerve impulses in neuronal networks. In addition, myelination is not limited to the period of early post-natal development, but continuous into adulthood where it appears to be regulated by neuronal stimuli. This paradigm shift should be fuelled by new knowledge about myelin biology. Here, we plan to fill this gap by addressing the molecular basis of myelin growth, plasticity and remodelling. We will determine the factors that determine whether and to what extent an axon will be myelinated or not, the forces that drive myelin around the axon, the structural basis of myelin plasticity and the mechanisms of myelin turnover in the adult. We will test the hypothesis that microglia actively participate in myelin turnover by taking up myelin fragments that pinch off from the myelin sheath. To realize these aims we plan to pursue an integrative and multidisciplinary approach by bringing together genetics, biochemistry, proteomics and imaging in various model systems. The innovation arises from the combination of high-resolution imaging with molecular approaches in different cell types to obtain a unifying mechanistic understanding of myelin formation, maintenance and degradation. If successful, the project would not only explain how myelin is generated during brain development, but also give insight into how myelin plasticity could fine-tune neuronal networks.
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: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins proteomics
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology multiple sclerosis
- natural sciences computer and information sciences data science data processing
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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)
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.
ERC-COG - Consolidator 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-2014-CoG
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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.
80333 Muenchen
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.