Objective
Axonal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) forms a continuous network of tubules that appears to occur ubiquitously in neurons, and has been compared to “a neuron within a neuron”. Its importance is suggested both by its apparent ubiquity, and by the identification of several causative genes for the axon degenerative disease, hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), that encode proteins that contribute to ER modeling. However, its physiological roles, and how it could influence axon degeneration, are poorly understood.
There is increasing awareness of the existence, nature and roles of contact sites between ER and other cellular organelles including mitochondria. Here I will explore these interactions and their functions in axons, in particular testing the model that ER architecture is important in regulating mitochondrial function in axons. My host laboratory has recently identified Drosophila mutants that lack one or more relevant HSP genes, and shown abnormalities in the level or continuity of ER in some genotypes.
I will use Drosophila HSP mutants to determine whether mitochondrial abnormalities arise with altered ER organisation. I will also test for colocalisation of a Drosophila Reep protein with ER-mitochondrial contact sites, and whether loss of this protein leads to abnormal mitochondria. Together these experiments will address whether ER-localised HSP proteins affect mitochondrial function.
Secondly I will examine whether mitochondrial Ca2+ handling is affected in these models. I will generate transgenic Drosophila that express mitochondrial and cytosolic Ca2+ sensors, and attempt to develop a suitable lumenal ER sensor. I will use these to test the levels and heterogeneity of Ca2+ concentrations in resting and active axons, and investigate how HSP mutants affect this.
My work will examine the interplay between ER and mitochondria in axons for the first time, and mechanisms of dysfunction that are relevant for human axon degeneration.
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 chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkaline earth metals
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine embryology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
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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.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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) H2020-MSCA-IF-2015
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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.
CB2 1TN CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom
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