Objective
An outstanding challenge at the crossroads of neuro, evolutionary, and developmental biology is explaining how molecular changes give rise to the alternate neural morphologies and physiologies that underlie the behavioral adaptations of animals. I propose to address this by examining the EvoDevo of the olfactory system in insects. The number and physiological properties of olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) populations determine the sensitivity and specificity of olfactory responses. Evolution of new OSN populations requires changes in cell-type diversification, receptor repertoire, receptor regulation, and axonal targeting. However, it is unknown how these factors co-evolve. I will use three complementary methods to investigate the genetic basis of OSN evolution in insects. First, I will utilize the large OSN size in the silk moth to conduct single-cell RNA-seq of OSNs during development, examining transcriptomic differences between related OSN lineages within a species. Second, I will utilize the rapid evolution of the ant olfactory system to investigate comparative gene expression and neurodevelopment in closely related species with divergent olfactory systems. By examining a range of more and less diverged species/OSN populations, I will be able to observe the gene expression changes accompanying OSN evolution. Third, I will test candidate genes by using gene modification in the genetically tractable vinegar fly. This research will show how new OSN circuits evolve, facilitating olfactory system adaptation. More generally, this research will show how genomic changes wrought by evolution can give rise to novel neural circuitries- in essence showing how brains can evolve.
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 developmental biology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology entomology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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.
1015 LAUSANNE
Switzerland
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.