Objective
Defects in neuronal migration have a severe impact on normal brain function. Here, neuronal contact sensing of the extracellular environment combines with complex signaling, determining the final wiring and plasticity. Although deficits in neuronal micro-connectivity are recently emerging as crucial in neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. autism, schizophrenia), the role of neuronal sensing and fine-migration processes is still poorly understood in these pathological conditions.
I propose to study neuronal sensing and guidance/migration in neurodevelopmental disorders, at both system and molecular level, with a multidisciplinary approach that combines nano-engineered devices (i.e. nano-structured substrates and microfluidic chips), molecular neuroscience and state-of-the-art fluorescence microscopy, with the aim to clarify the biochemical processes impaired in neuronal guidance.
As a pathological model, the project will focus on the unbalanced levels of ubiquitin ligase E3a (UBE3A), which leads to several neurodevelopmental disorders. Reduced UBE3A levels result in Angelman Syndrome, whereas increased UBE3A levels results in autism. However, its specific role in brain development is still unclear.
This project will investigate the topic of neuronal sensing/guidance bi-directionally: 1) in vivo, in Ube3a-mutant mouse models (using genetic engineered mouse models and/or in utero electroporation with specifically-tagged plasmids or silencing-RNA), to identify deficits; 2) in vitro, in Ube3a-mutant neuronal cells by nano-engineered platforms (by applying specific biomimetic physico-chemical stimuli to single cells), to study the biochemical mechanisms involved in the neuronal guidance deficits.
The obtained results will help to clarify the role of UBE3A in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders but also to establish the value of nano-engineered platforms as innovative bio-mimicking platforms for investigating neuronal guidance dynamics in vitro, at molecular lev
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
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology nanomedicine
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine psychiatry schizophrenia
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology molecular neuroscience
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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-2017
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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.
3015 GD Rotterdam
Netherlands
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.