Project description
The genetics behind obesity
Obesity is a huge healthcare problem worldwide and its prevalence has risen dramatically in the past four decades due to genetic predisposition, unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, and more. Control of food intake is regulated by many neural and hormonal signals that interact with the central nervous system. The western diet is also associated with factors that contribute to current obesity epidemics. The EU-funded EPIOBESITY seeks to understand the underlying dynamics in obesity. Project outcomes may provide clues for developing targeted therapies for this metabolic disease that is slated to become the biggest cause of mortality in the near future.
Objective
Despite titanic social and scientific efforts, rates of obesity continue to increase in Europe. Unfortunately, safe and effective treatments are currently unavailable. Obesity is a multifactorial disease that is largely the consequence of enigmatic and complex genetic-environmental interactions. Evidence suggests that the prevalent western-diet triggers epigenetic changes that contribute to the current obesity epidemics. Hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-expressing neurons are crucial elements of energy balance, and its dysfunction cause severe obesity in experimental models and humans. Our hypothesis is that over nutrition causes epigenetic changes in POMC neurons that in turn lead to dysregulated energy homeostasis and obesity. The objective of this proposal is to establish for the first time a genome-wide epigenetic map of POMC neurons in the context of over nutrition during adulthood and fetal programming. To pursue this aim we will use an innovative cell-specific in vivo strategy to tag and reliably isolate POMC neurons, followed by next generation sequencing to evaluate chromatin accessibility and histone marks distribution across the genome. As a result, we will provide a novel framework for understanding the underlying epigenetic signatures related with obesity development and susceptibility. Hence, this project is in line with the Horizon 2020 Framework for improving our knowledge of the causes underlying a disease. Furthermore, the outcomes of this project may have potential therapeutic implications for the treatment of obesity since most epigenetic marks are reversible and therefore potentially targetable. The multidisciplinary nature of the project is strong, involving a combination of genetic engineering techniques, molecular biology and bioinformatics. This proposal includes the transfer of knowledge to the host institution and the training of the candidate in new techniques and transferable skills.
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.
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
- medical and health sciences health sciences nutrition obesity
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology
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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-2018
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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.
08036 Barcelona
Spain
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.